| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09028770B2 |
Cell made of polymers for spectra measurement and method for producing the same
This invention provides a cell made of polymers for spectra measurement while inhibiting a decrease in a molecular weight of resin caused by discharge treatment and having a stable hydrophilic modified surface. The hydrophilic resin cell is prepared by providing a polymeric resin cell between the two opposing electrodes, applying an electric field to a region between the above opposing electrodes under a nitrogen atmosphere with a pressure close to the atmospheric pressure to generate an electric discharge, and exposing the cell subjected to discharge treatment with a gas including oxygen. |
| US09028768B2 |
Metal alkoxides, apparatus for manufacturing metal alkoxides, related methods and uses thereof
Compounds, synthesis of, and methods for synthesizing metal alkoxide derivatives; and metal alkoxide derivatives for use as flame retardants are described. Group 13 metal alkoxides having flame retardant properties may be prepared by reacting the group 13 metal trihydroxide with an alcohol. |
| US09028767B2 |
Method and a reactor for mixing one or more chemicals into a process liquid flow
A method for mixing a chemical into a process liquid including: injecting the chemical into the process liquid flowing through a flow pipe; forming reaction products by a reaction involving the chemical occurring in the process flow; applying an electric field or magnetic field to a region of the flow pipe adjacent to the reaction occurring in the process flow, and suppressing the precipitation of the chemical or the reaction products on the surfaces of the pipe due to the electric or magnetic field. |
| US09028765B2 |
Exhaust flow spreading baffle-riser to optimize remote plasma window clean
Porogen accumulation in a UV-cure chamber may be reduced by removing outgassed porogen by flowing a purge gas across a window through which a wafer is exposed to UV light. Porogens in the purge gas stream may, as they flow through the chamber and into an exhaust baffle, deposit on surfaces within the chamber, including on the exhaust baffle. The exhaust baffle may have particular features that cause such porogen deposition to be more uniformly distributed across the exhaust baffle, thus reducing the amount of time that may be required to fully clean the baffle of accumulated porogens during a cleaning process. |
| US09028760B2 |
Device with several reaction chambers for implementing liquid/solid oxidation-reduction reactions in a fluidized bed
Disclosed is a device for carrying out liquid/solid oxidation-reduction reactions in a fluidized bed including a reactor body extending along a longitudinal axis, means for injecting a solution to be processed via a first end of the reactor body along the longitudinal axis, means for performing feeding of a reactive metal via a second end of the reactor body opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis, means for stirring the solution in the reactor body, and a finishing compartment mounted at the second end of the reactor body and connected to means for expelling the processed solution. The reactor body includes two distinct reaction chambers, each reaction chamber having a constant cross-section perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, said cross-sections of the two reaction chambers being different and increasing from the first end to the second end. |
| US09028757B2 |
Fluorescent nanoscopy device and method
A method for analysis of an object dyed with fluorescent coloring agents. Separately fluorescing visible molecules or nanoparticles are periodically formed in different object parts, the laser produces the oscillation thereof which is sufficient for recording the non-overlapping images of the molecules or nanoparticles and for decoloring already recorded fluorescent molecules, wherein tens of thousands of pictures of recorded individual molecule or nanoparticle images, in the form of stains having a diameter on the order of a fluorescent light wavelength multiplied by a microscope amplification, are processed by a computer for searching the coordinates of the stain centers and building the object image according to millions of calculated stain center co-ordinates corresponding to the co-ordinates of the individual fluorescent molecules or nanoparticles. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are provided for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids with different coloring agents. |
| US09028756B2 |
Specimen analyzing method and specimen analyzing apparatus
A specimen analyzing method and a specimen analyzing apparatus capable of measuring interference substances before analyzing a specimen. The method comprises a step for sucking the specimen stored in a specimen container (150) and sampling it in a first container (153), a step for optically measuring the specimen in the first container, a step for sampling the specimen in a second container (154) and preparing a specimen for measurement by mixing the specimen with a reagent in the second container, and a step for analyzing the specimen for measurement according to the results of the optical measurement of the specimen. |
| US09028751B2 |
System and method for dynamically controlling odor emission
The present invention relates to a system and method for dynamically controlling odor emission. The system comprises an odor measurement tool, a weather condition measurement tool, a processing module and a controller. The odor measurement tool is adapted to measure an odor level. The weather condition measurement tool is adapted to measure at least one weather condition. The processing module is adapted to calculate an odor emission threshold based on the measured odor level, the at least one weather condition, an atmospheric dispersion model and a predetermined remote odor level threshold. The controller is adapted to control the odor emission below the odor emission threshold. |
| US09028750B2 |
Fumigation system and process with temperature control, filtration, and air-reintroduction
Fumigation systems and processes that are especially applicable for the fumigation of perishable (or otherwise sensitive to temperature) agricultural products as the temperature conditions under which the product is being treated are closely controlled to advantageously prevent the product from being exposed to temperature drops and/or spikes during the fumigation cycle. In addition, the present invention incorporates an air filtration system as a part of the fumigation system to substantially remove the toxic fumigant residuals from the air before it is exhausted into the open atmosphere, which typically occurs at the completion of a fumigation cycle. As such, the harmful effect of the fumigant on the products and the surrounding environment and work areas is greatly minimized. In summary, the systems and processes of the present invention provide the ability to conduct fumigations in a well-controlled environment. |
| US09028746B2 |
Build-up welding material, deposited metal, and member with deposited metal
Provided a build-up welding material which contains C: 0.2 to 1.5 mass %, Si: 0.5 to 2 mass %, Mn: 0.5 to 2 mass %, Cr: 20 to 40 mass %, Mo: 2 to 6 mass %, Ni: 0.5 to 6 mass %, V: 1 to 5 mass % and W: 0.5 to 5 mass %, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. |
| US09028744B2 |
Manufacturing of turbine shroud segment with internal cooling passages
A turbine shroud segment is metal injection molded (MIM) about a low melting point material insert. The low melting point material is dissolved using heat during the heat treatment cycle required for the MIM material, thereby leaving internal cooling passages in the MIM shroud segment without extra manufacturing operation. |
| US09028741B1 |
Method for manufacturing aluminum-titanate-based ceramic honeycomb structure
A method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure includes kneading titania particles, alumina particles and a binder ingredient such that raw material paste including the titania particles, alumina particles and binder ingredient is prepared, forming a body made of the raw material paste and having a honeycomb structure such that the body has the honeycomb structure having multiple through-holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the body and multiple partition portions formed between the through-holes, applying sealant composition including aluminum hydroxide particles, talc particles, kaolin particles, water and organic binder to either end of each through-hole of the body in the longitudinal direction such that the honeycomb structure of the body has each through-hole sealed at one end, and sintering the body made of the raw material paste and having the honeycomb structure sealed by the sealant composition such that a ceramic body having the honeycomb structure is formed. |
| US09028740B2 |
Permselective membrane and process for manufacturing thereof
A method for preparing by solvent phase inversion spinning a hollow fiber membrane suitable for dialysis. The membrane includes at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. An outer surface of the membrane is characterized by pores having sizes in the range of 0.5-3 μm, with the density of the pores on the outer surface of the membrane being in the range of 10,000 to 150,000 pores per mm2. The method includes dissolving the at least one hydrophobic polymer and the at least one hydrophilic polymer in at least one solvent to form a polymer solution, extruding the thus-formed polymer solution through an outer ring slit of a nozzle with two concentric openings, extruding a center fluid through the inner opening of the nozzle, and wishing said membrane. The polymer solution coming out through the outer slit opening on the outside of the precipitating fiber is exposed to a humid steam/air mixture including a solvent content of between 0.5 and 10% by weight related to the water content. |
| US09028734B2 |
Process of producing PCR pellets
A process for producing, from PCR polyolefin feedstock, pellets which are suitable for molding into useful articles suitable for food contact and other applications wherein feedstock fragrances are not desirable. |
| US09028731B2 |
Recycled composite materials and related methods
Methods of producing particles of fiber and resin from fiber-resin composite materials are disclosed. The particles may be combined with a resin system and optionally combined with fillers, binders or reinforcements to produce new cured solid composite products. |
| US09028729B2 |
Sulfur granulator system and method
Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The tank may also he used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members. The rib members may allow for the movement of sulfur seeds and granules between the nights and the inside surface of the drum as the drum rotates. |
| US09028723B2 |
Semiconductor nanoparticles and method for producing same
Copper(II) acetate, zinc(II) acetate, and tin(IV) acetate are weighed so that the total amount of metal ions is 2.0×10−4 mol and the molar ratio of ions is Cu:Zn:Sn=2:1:1, and 2.0 cm3 of oleylamine is added to prepare a mixed solution. Apart from this, 1.0 cm3 of oleylamine is added to 2.0×10−4 mol of sulfur powder to prepare a mixed solution. These mixed solutions are separately heated at 60° C. and mixed at room temperature. The pressure in a test tube is reduced, followed by nitrogen filling. The test tube is heated at 240° C. for 30 minutes and then allowed to stand until room temperature. The resultant product is separated into a supernatant and precipitates by centrifugal separation. The separated supernatant is filtered, methanol is added to produce precipitates. The precipitates are dissolved by adding chloroform to prepare a semiconductor nanoparticle solution. |
| US09028722B2 |
Electric conduction through supramolecular assemblies of triarylamines
A method is provided for modifying a surface of a solid conducting material, which includes applying a potential difference between this surface and a surface of another conducting solid material positioned facing it, and wherein, simultaneously, the surface (S) is put into contact with a liquid medium comprising in solution triarylamines (I): while subjecting these triarylamines (I) to electromagnetic radiation, at least partly converting them at into triarylammonium radicals. Also provided is a conducting device which includes two conducting metal materials, the surfaces of which, (S) and (S′) respectively, are electrically interconnected through an organic material comprising conducting fibrillar organic supramolecular species comprising an association of triarylamines of formula (I). |
| US09028719B2 |
β- sialon, and light emitting device and applications thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide a phosphor that is combined with a blue LED to achieve white light at a low color temperature as if singly, has a broad fluorescence spectrum for excellent color rendering properties, has a high luminous efficiency, is thermally and chemically stable like conventional nitride-based phosphors, and has a small decrease in luminance at high temperatures. Another object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device using such a phosphor. The present invention relates to a β-sialon that is expressed by the general formula, Si6-zAlzOzN8-z:Eu (0 |
| US09028713B2 |
Mixture for liquid crystal medium and liquid crystal display using the same
The present invention provides a mixture for liquid crystal medium and a liquid crystal display using the same. The mixture for liquid crystal medium comprises: at least one anisotropic liquid crystal material and a polymerizable monomer which will polymerize under UV irradiation. The weight percentage of the polymerizable monomer accounts for 0.1% to 1% of the total mixture for liquid crystal medium. In the mixture for liquid crystal medium and a liquid crystal display using the same according to the present invention, by using a polymerizable monomer which will polymerize under UV irradiation and the appropriate content ratio, the polymer bump with small size and good uniformity can be obtained within the mixture for liquid crystal medium after the polymerization, which avoids the bad liquid crystal alignment and the light spot occurred at the dark state of the liquid crystal panel, and then increases the response rapid of the liquid crystal panel to obtain high contrast ratio and stable mass production. |
| US09028712B2 |
Oxygen scavenger composition, and oxygen scavenger package using the same, and method for oxygen scavenging
There are provided an oxygen scavenger composition and the like, which are excellent in economy in which the amount of oxygen absorbed per unit volume of the oxygen scavenger composition is large, and rusting at high humidity is inhibited. The oxygen scavenger composition of the present invention comprises (A) an iron powder, (B) a metal bromide and/or a metal iodide, and (C) a thiosulfate. |
| US09028710B2 |
Powdered NiaM1bM2c(O)x(OH)y compounds, method for the production thereof and use thereof in batteries
The invention is directed to a pulverulent compound of the formula NiaM1bM2cOx(OH)y where M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Zn, Cu and mixtures thereof, M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, B, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Si and mixtures thereof, 0.3≦a≦0.83, 0.1≦b≦0.5, 0.01≦c≦0.5, 0.01≦x≦0.99 and 1.01≦y≦1.99, wherein the ratio of tapped density measured in accordance with ASTM B 527 to the D50 of the particle size distribution measured in accordance with ASTM B 822 is at least 0.2 g/cm3·μm. The invention is also directed to a method for the production of the pulverulent compound and the use as a precursor material for producing lithium compounds for use in lithium secondary batteries. |
| US09028708B2 |
Process for removing a bulk material layer from a substrate and a chemical mechanical polishing agent suitable for this process
An aqueous chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) agent (A) comprising solid particles (a1) containing (a11) a corrosion inhibitor for metals, and (a12) a solid material, the said solid particles (a1) being finely dispersed in the aqueous phase; and its use in a process for removing a bulk material layer from the surface of a substrate and planarizing the exposed surface by chemical mechanical polishing until all material residuals are removed from the exposed surface, wherein the CMP agent exhibits at the end of the chemical mechanical polishing, without the addition of supplementary materials, —the same or essentially the same static etch rate (SER) as at its start and a lower material removal rate (MRR) than at its start, —a lower SER than at its start and the same or essentially the same MRR as at its start or—a lower SER and a lower MRR than at its start; such that the CMP agent exhibits a soft landing behavior. |
| US09028707B2 |
Compositions comprising refrigerant and lubricant and methods for replacing CFC and HCFC refrigerants without flushing
A composition comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant is disclosed, wherein the refrigerant comprises (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R32, R152a, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; the lubricant comprises (iii) a hydrocarbon-based lubricant component; and (iv) a synthetic lubricant component; and the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total lubricant. Also disclosed are methods of replacing refrigerants in refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing a refrigerant comprising a CFC or HCFC and a lubricant. The methods involve adding to the system (a) a replacement refrigerant comprising (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R152a, R32, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a synthetic lubricant component; wherein after refrigerant replacement the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total amount of lubricant in the system. |
| US09028700B2 |
Liquid flotation system with energy recovery devices
A system and method of operating the same includes an absorption tank having a compressor communicating gas thereto, a suspended solid filtration tank having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet and a pump comprising a pump inlet coupled to the secondary outlet and a pump outlet communicating fluid to the absorption tank. The absorption tank forms a solution from the fluid and gas. A turbine mechanically couples the pump with a common shaft extending to the pump. The turbine has a turbine inlet coupled to the absorption tank and a turbine outlet coupled to the secondary inlet. The turbine depressurizes the solution. The system may also use a centrifugal pump in place of a turbine and absorption tank. |
| US09028699B2 |
Assembly and method for separating magnetisable particles from a liquid
An assembly for separating magnetisable particles from a liquid may include a tubular reactor through which the liquid can flow and which includes a first region with at least one permanent magnet and a second region with at least one electromagnet. The first and the second region are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the tubular reactor. |
| US09028697B2 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling moisture in plant oils and liquid biofuels
The moisture absorption capacity of biofuels can be more or less 10 times that of fossil diesel oil, causing biofuels to form acids that induce metal corrosion and form deposits in the fuel tank and pipe lines. Methods for removing moisture from stored biofuels and plant oils are described wherein glycerol is used as a solvent to extract the moisture from the bioliquid or oil, comprising the steps of placing the biofuel or oil in fluid contact with glycerol, incubating for a time, and then removing the glycerol. A cellulous ester dialysis or other semi-permeable membrane may be used to prevent the glycerol from contaminating the biofuel while allowing moisture to pass. Crude glycerol produced as a byproduct of biodiesel production may be used in the method of the disclosed invention with good result. Preferred embodiments of apparatus that employ the method of the subject invention are described. |
| US09028695B2 |
Process for producing reclaimed water and system for producing reclaimed water
The process includes operation as follows: putting ozone generated by an ozone generator into raw water, in a normal mode, to subject the raw water to ozone treatment; injecting a flocculant into the raw water before or after the ozone treatment; filtering the raw water by a separation membrane after the ozone treatment and the injection of the flocculant; and intermittently setting cleaning mode to put a larger quantity of cleaning ozone than that in the normal mode into the raw water so as to intermittently increase the concentration of dissolved ozone, thereby cleaning the filtration membrane. |
| US09028692B2 |
High flow disc filter
A filter device is configured to filter a liquid. The filter device includes a drum sized to receive the liquid and a plurality of filter panels coupled to the drum to define a plurality of discs. The liquid passes through at least a portion of one of the discs. Each filter panel includes a perimeter frame that defines a panel normal flow area and a filter media coupled to the perimeter frame. The filter media may be adapted to include a plurality of pleats. |
| US09028689B1 |
Electric arc for aqueous fluid treatment
An aqueous fluid treatment method and system is provided which preferably uses a 3 step electro-chemical oxidation process to remove organic contaminates from water. A high surface area electro-chemical reaction cell can be employed to remove organic particles and precipitate hardness salts from the aqueous solution. Several 3-phase spark arcs generated mixed oxidants and acoustic cavitations to remove dissolved organic compounds and oxidize organic metal compounds in the next step. Finally, a dielectric discharge in aqueous foam is used to eliminate recalcitrant organic compounds such as, but not limited to, polychlorinated aromatics, disinfectants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals before release to environment or recycled. |
| US09028680B2 |
Method and system for processing viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons
A method and system for handling viscous liquid crude hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method involves (a) solvent deasphalting at least a portion of an asphaltene-containing liquid crude hydrocarbon feedstock to form an asphaltene fraction and a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction essentially free of asphaltenes; (b) adjusting the density of the asphaltene fraction to substantially the same density of a carrier for the asphaltene fraction; (c) forming coated asphaltene particles from the asphaltene fraction of step (b); (d) slurrying the coated asphaltene particles with the carrier; and (e) transporting the slurry to a treatment facility or a transportation carrier. |
| US09028671B2 |
Hydrogen sensing apparatus and method
An apparatus and methods are provided for the accurate determination of hydrogen content in fluid media at elevated temperatures. The apparatus consists of a proton conducting solid electrolyte in contact with an internal metal/hydrogen reference standard, in which the electrolyte and the reference material are in a chemically stable contact. The electrical signal generated is a function of the hydrogen concentration on the measuring side. |
| US09028670B2 |
Method for proportioning nitrates and/or nitrites in a neutral medium
The present invention relates to a method for proportioning nitrate and/or nitrite ions in a solution using a copper electrode, said method being characterized in that it is carried out in constant potential mode and moreover in that it includes the steps of: i. applying a first potential to the copper electrode so as to reduce the copper oxides present on the surface of the metal copper electrode; ii. applying a second potential to the copper electrode so as to oxidize the metal copper formed in Step i into cupric ions; iii. applying a third potential to the copper electrode so as to reduce the copper oxides possibly formed in Step ii. Steps i through iii being carried out in a support electrolyte; and iv. proportioning the nitrate and/or nitrite ions of a solution to be analyzed by means of immersing the copper electrode, obtained in Step iii, in said solution to be analyzed while applying a fourth potential to the copper electrode so as to reduce the nitrate and/or nitrite ions, the support electrolyte of Steps i through iii, and the solution to be analyzed in Step iv, having a substantially neutral pH. |
| US09028667B2 |
Composition for metal surface treatment, metal surface treatment method, and metal material
A metal material is contacted with a treatment solution containing zirconium and/or titanium compound, and a polyamine compound having a number average molecular weight from 150 to 500,000 and containing from 0.1 mmol to 17 mmol of primary and/or secondary amino group per 1 g of solid content and at least one siloxane unit. Concentration of zirconium and/or titanium compound in the metal surface treatment composition is from 10 ppm to 10,000 ppm with respect to the metal element, and mass ratio of the zirconium and/or titanium element is from 0.1 to 100 with respect to the polyamine compound. The metal material is washed with water after contacted by the treatment solution. |
| US09028665B2 |
Drum-type electro-osmosis dehydrator capable of reducing electricity consumption by decreasing gap between positive and negative electrodes
Provided is an electro-osmosis dehydrator, which includes a sludge supplying part disposed in a central upper portion thereof, and including a rotating part and two rollers disposed under the rotating part, a drum disposed under the sludge supplying part to receive sludge, and having a cylindrical shape rotating about an axis thereof, wherein an inner circumference of the drum is charged negatively or positively by direct current power, a caterpillar part spaced a certain distance from the drum, and moving along an endless track, wherein the caterpillar part includes a power applying part charged with polarity opposite to that of the drum by direct current power, a filtering fabric disposed under the power applying part, a caterpillar disposed under the filtering fabric, and including a plurality of holes, a vinyl part disposed between the filtering fabric and the caterpillar to prevent the sludge from passing through the caterpillar, and a chain disposed under the caterpillar, and a plurality of idle sprocket parts disposed on the inside of the caterpillar part, and engaging with the chain to drive the caterpillar part. A filtering fabric is removed from the space between positive and negative electrodes so as to decrease the gap therebetween, thereby reducing electricity consumption. |
| US09028662B2 |
Electrochemical sensing arrays
Methods, arrays, and systems for electrochemical sensing are provided. An example of a method includes forming a number of first electrodes, forming a fluidic level having a number of walls that extend substantially vertically from each of the number of first electrodes, and forming a number of second electrodes in contact with the number of walls. In some examples, forming the fluidic level having the number of walls includes embossing an embossing resin. |
| US09028661B2 |
Glucose measurement using a current source
A blood glucose meter comprises a blood sample test strip, a constant current source, a precision timer, a digital processor and memory, and an analog measurement circuit, e.g., voltage comparator, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), etc., that eliminates the complex analog front end and other related circuits of present technology glucose meters. When a blood sample is applied to the blood sample test strip a charge, Q, develops from the reaction between an enzyme in the test strip and the blood sample. The constant current source injects a constant current value, I, into the charge, Q, on the blood sample test strip over a precisely measured time determined by when the excess charge, Q, has been removed from the test strip. The amount of charge, Q, is determined by Q=I*T, the charge, Q, is then converted into a blood glucose level for display. |
| US09028656B2 |
Liquid-gas interface plasma device
A method for whitening teeth is disclosed. The method includes supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth; supplying ionizable media to the plasma device; and igniting the ionizable media at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at the distal portion, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth. |
| US09028655B2 |
Contaminant control system in an evaporative water treating system
A contaminant control system for an evaporative water purification process as deployed in a steam assisted gravity drainage process facility for in situ heavy oil recovery, The contaminant control system is specifically designed to simultaneously control silica, hardness and oil contaminant present in the evaporator feed water to prevent fouling of heat exchange surfaces and improve system reliability and can be applied to many evaporator designs available on the market. |
| US09028654B2 |
Method of treatment of amine waste water and a system for accomplishing the same
Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporation unit comprising a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger; where the first heat exchanger is operative to heat an effluent stream comprising an amine solvent and/or amine byproducts and water and to discharge the effluent stream to the second heat exchanger; where the second heat exchanger is operative to convert the effluent stream into a distillate stream and a concentrate stream; and a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with the evaporation unit; where the reverse osmosis unit comprises a first reverse osmosis unit that is operative to receive the distillate stream and to separate water from byproducts of the amine solvent such that the water has a purity of greater than 95%, based on the weight of the distillate stream. |
| US09028650B2 |
Method of sizing paper
This technology relates to a method of sizing paper through the use of an aqueous solution of ketene dimer and vinylamine-containing polymers. It also relates to the stability of the ketene dimer/polyvinylamine solution. |
| US09028646B2 |
Film adhesive for semiconductor vacuum processing apparatus
A bonded assembly to reduce particle contamination in a semiconductor vacuum chamber such as a plasma processing apparatus is provided, including an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of a component and a support member to accommodate thermal stresses. The elastomeric sheet comprises a silicone adhesive to withstand a high shear strain of ≧800% at a temperature range between room temperature and 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with optional fillers. The sheet form has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces. The sheet adhesive may be cut into pre-form shapes to conform to regularly or irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating parts, and can be installed into cavities. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar. |
| US09028645B2 |
Method of manufacturing shoe using multi-functional primer
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a shoe using a multifunctional primer, comprising the steps of coating a rubber outsole made of unvulcanized rubber with a liquid multifunctional primer comprising a polyurethane dispersion, a butadiene rubber solution, and a natural rubber solution; vulcanizing the unvulcanized rubber outsole coated with the multifunctional primer, thermally activating the coated vulcanized rubber outsole; coating the thermally-activated rubber outsole with an adhesive; and attaching the rubber outsole to a variety of other parts. |
| US09028641B2 |
Method for manufacturing label and apparatus for manufacturing the label
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a label including providing a release sheet having an adhesive layer on a releasable surface thereof, forming the film-like label portion by electrophotography which includes developing a latent image using the label forming composition to form a solid image of a label shape on a photoconductor, transferring the developed image on the adhesive layer of the release sheet, and fixing the transferred image by applying heat and pressure thereto, and irradiating the film-like label portion and an exposed portion of the adhesive layer other than the film-like label portion with rays to cure the exposed portion. |
| US09028638B2 |
Multilayer adhesive sheet and method for manufacturing electronic component
Provided is a multilayer adhesive sheet which enables easy separation between an adhesive layer and a die attach film during the pick-up even in cases where an acrylate ester copolymer is used in the die attach film, thereby making the pick-up work of semiconductor chips after the dicing easy. The multilayer adhesive sheet comprises a base film, an adhesive layer that is disposed on one surface of the base film, and a die attach film that is disposed on an exposed surface of the adhesive layer. The adhesive that constitutes the adhesive layer contains: (A) a (meth)acrylate ester copolymer; (B) an ultraviolet polymerizable compound; (C) a multifunctional isocyanate curing agent; (D) a photopolymerization initiator; and (E) a silicone polymer. |
| US09028633B1 |
Fire and smoke suppressing surface for substrates
This invention relates generally to fabrics, films, sheets and other supporting media that contain and transport fire retarding materials. These transport media deliver fire retarding and smoke suppressing constituents to the surface of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite substrates during a manufacturing process. Upon exposure to open flame or radiant heat, the resultant manufactured product has much lower surface flammability and smoke development characteristics than would otherwise be achieved by the substrate material alone. By economizing the fire retardant constituents at the surface only, cost is reduced while also avoiding deleterious adulteration of the substrate material. When fire is prevented from penetrating the surface, combustion of the entire part is delayed or prevented. By embedding fire retardant within the surface using the native resin, no peeling or chipping occurs (as with paint), and the finish will be essentially as hard and durable as an untreated part. |
| US09028631B1 |
Readherable, repositionable and reusable adhesive fabric paper for printing and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is an adhesive fabric paper that is used in color printers for personal computers, printing machines for indoor and outdoor advertisement, wide format printers, plotters, and so on to print colored images. In the invention, the rear side of the fabric is not subjected to gray coating and white coating, and the front side of the fabric is coated with a coating solution containing at least one fixation-strengthening agent selected from among titanium dioxide, silicon oil, silicon dioxide, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive fabric paper shows the same functions as those of the rear side coating layer and can be manufactured by a simpler process at reduced costs. |
| US09028626B2 |
Method for manufacturing high strength galvanized steel sheet with excellent formability
A method of manufacturing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet includes hot-rolling a slab to form a steel sheet; during continuous annealing, heating the steel sheet to a temperature of 750° C. to 900° C. at an average heating rate of at least 10° C./s at a temperature of 500° C. to an A1 transformation point; holding that temperature for at least 10 seconds; cooling the steel sheet from 750° C. to a temperature of (Ms point—100° C.) to (Ms point—200° C.) at an average cooling rate of at least 10° C./s; reheating the steel sheet to a temperature of 350° C. to 600° C.; holding that temperature for 10 to 600 seconds; and galvanizing the steel sheet. |
| US09028625B2 |
High Al-content steel sheet excellent in workability and method of production of same
The present invention provides a high Al-content steel sheet having an excellent workability and a method of production of the same at a low cost by mass production, a high Al-content metal foil and a method of production of the same, and a metal substrate using a high Al-content metal foil, that is, a high Al-content steel sheet having an Al content of 6.5 mass % to 10 mass %, the high Al-content steel sheet characterized by having one or both of a {222} plane integration of an α-Fe crystal with respect to the surface of the steel sheet of 60% to 95% or a {200} plane integration of 0.01% to 15% and a method of production of the same, a high Al-content metal foil and a method of production of the same, and a metal substrate using a high Al-content metal foil. |
| US09028624B2 |
NdFeB system sintered magnet and method for producing the same
Provided is a NdFeB sintered magnet which can be used in the grain boundary diffusion method as a base material in which RH can be easily diffused through the rare-earth rich phase and which itself has a high coercive force, a high maximum energy product and a high squareness ratio, as well as a method for producing such a magnet. A NdFeB system sintered has an average grain size of the main-phase grains magnet is equal to or smaller than 4.5 μm, the carbon content of the entire NdFeB system sintered magnet is equal to or lower than 1000 ppm, and the percentage of the total volume of a carbon rich phase in a rare-earth rich phase at a grain-boundary triple point in the NdFeB system sintered magnet to the total volume of the rare-earth rich phase is equal to or lower than 50%. |
| US09028622B2 |
Method and apparatus for cleaning a film seperating device
A method for cleaning a film separating device involves: a) performing positive-direction water cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is less than 1.2; b) performing reverse water cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 1.2; c) performing reverse chemical cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 2; d) performing positive-direction chemical cleaning when the ratio between the film filter resistance and the preliminary film filter resistance is greater-than or equal-to 3. |
| US09028618B2 |
Staged compressor water wash system
A compressor wash system for compressor washing includes stages of fluid delivery lines coupled at one end to a pump output and at the other end to a corresponding nozzle set. A control valve is connected to the fluid delivery line between the pump and the nozzle set, selectively supplying fluid between the pump and the nozzle set. Each nozzle of a nozzle set is positioned on an inlet of the compressor to allow the stages to wash a portion of the compressor. Nozzle sets are positioned around a bellmouth assembly and/or around an inlet cone of the compressor inlet, with a nozzle spray tip of each nozzle extending into an inlet air flow path of the compressor. Fluid may be directed to one or more of the stages in a sequencing pattern determined and configured to wash the compressor. Templates and installation guides are utilized to position the nozzles. |
| US09028617B2 |
Cleaning device with single tank recycling system
A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The solution tank may include an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning device may include at least one discharge line filter in fluid communication with the solution tank and a pump having a pump intake and a pump discharge. The pump may be configured to direct cleaning solution from the solution tank outlet through the at least one discharge line filter. The cleaning device may include a cleaning head in fluid communication with the pump discharge and a bypass line in fluid communication with the pump discharge and the inlet. The bypass line may be configured to divert cleaning solution received from the pump discharge away from the cleaning head and toward the solution tank. |
| US09028615B2 |
Domestic appliance having a surface which comprises a photocatalyst
A domestic appliance includes at least one component having a surface that can become laden with organic dirt. The surface includes a photocatalyst and is made from a primary-formed first material in which the photocatalyst is dispersed. A photoradiation source is provided for irradiating the photocatalyst with an activating electromagnetic radiation. |
| US09028612B2 |
Growth of large aluminum nitride single crystals with thermal-gradient control
In various embodiments, non-zero thermal gradients are formed within a growth chamber both substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the growth direction during formation of semiconductor crystals, where the ratio of the two thermal gradients (parallel to perpendicular) is less than 10, by, e.g., arrangement of thermal shields outside of the growth chamber. |
| US09028610B2 |
Process for the production of a rapid hydraulic binder
A process for the production of a hydraulic binder, includes co-grinding a clinker and 0.1 to 5% by dry mass relative to the mass of clinker, of a material including more than 15% by mass of calcium silicate hydrate relative to the solid fraction of the material. |
| US09028609B2 |
Additive for mineral binding agents having reduced brown discoloration potential
An additive composition including a grinding aid selected from glycols, monocarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and comb polymers; as well as at least one retardant, which can be used during the process of grinding cement clinker and which leads to low brown discoloration of the ground cement in the processed state. |
| US09028607B2 |
Carbon dioxide sequestration in foamed controlled low strength materials
A process for sequestering carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas emitted from a combustion chamber is disclosed. In the process, a foam including a foaming agent and the exhaust gas is formed, and the foam is added to a mixture including a cementitious material (e.g., cement-kiln dust, lime kiln dust, or slag cement) and water to form a foamed mixture. Thereafter, the foamed mixture is allowed to set, preferably to a controlled low-strength material having a compressive strength of 1200 psi or less. The carbon dioxide in the exhaust gas reacts with hydration products in the controlled low-strength material and in turn sequesters the carbon dioxide. |
| US09028606B2 |
Extruded fiber reinforced cementitious products having stone-like properties and methods of making the same
A cementitious composite product that can function as a substitute for stone and solid surface materials, such as granite, marble, and engineered stone is provided. Furthermore methods for manufacturing the cementitious composite product using an extrudable cementitious composition that can be extruded or otherwise shaped into stone-like building products that can be used as a substitute for many known stone products is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cementitious composite products can be manufactured more cheaply to be as tough or tougher and more durable than stone and solid surface materials. |
| US09028601B2 |
Ink composition and printed matter
An ink composition of the invention is an ink composition to be ejected by an ink jet system and includes silver particles and water. When a composition A formed of components of the ink composition other than the water is held in an atmosphere at an ambient temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity (RH) of 50%, the equilibrium moisture content of the component A is in a range of 2 to 7.8 percent by mass. |
| US09028597B1 |
Dust suppression apparatus
A dust suppression apparatus comprising: (a) a turntable; (b) an engine; (c) a water mist blower comprising an air conduit, a plurality of water nozzles positioned so as to supply a spray of water to the air conduit, and a fan positioned so as to supply a stream of air through the air conduit, the water mist blower and the engine mounted on the turntable, the turntable adapted to permit the air conduit to be rotated horizontally, and the air conduit mounted so as to permit the air conduit to tilt vertically; (d) a water conduit adapted to supply pressurized water to the plurality of water nozzles; (e) a belt drive connected to the engine and adapted to supply power to the fan, and (f) a constant velocity joint connecting the belt drive to the fan. |
| US09028596B2 |
Green cascade-type device for intercepting and filtering oil fumes
A cascade-type device for intercepting and filtering oil fumes comprises an exhausting space formed between a housing and a filter and a cascading space formed between the filter and an external plate. A wind entrance communicated with the cascading space is formed between a lower portion of the external plate and the housing. The housing accommodates rinsing liquid whose height is higher than a bottom edge of the external plate. A negative pressure formed in the exhausting and the cascading space while drawing air allows the rinsing liquid blown by a wind pressure to hit the filter and generate water bloom for combining oil molecules of oil fumes. When the oil fumes further pass the filter, the oil molecules are adhered to the filter again and then scoured off by the water bloom, thereby attaining a dual-filtering effect and an automatic cleanliness of the filter and the housing. |
| US09028595B2 |
Kinetic fractionators, and cycling processes for fractionation of gas mixtures
A process for separating methane from a natural gas mixture employs pressure swing adsorption in one or more vessels. Each vessel has an adsorbent material having a kinetic selectivity for contaminants over methane greater than 5. Contaminants within the natural gas mixture become gases kinetically adsorbed within the adsorbent material. The vessel is placed under pressure to cause contaminants to be adsorbed in the surfaces and micro-pores of the adsorbent material. The process includes releasing a product stream comprised at least 95% by volume methane from a first gas outlet in the vessel, and desorbing the contaminant gases from the adsorbent material by reducing the pressure within the vessel. The desorbing step is done without applying heat to the vessel, thereby delivering a waste gas stream comprised at least 95% by volume of the contaminant gases. An improved fractionation vessel having both major and minor flow channels is also provided. |
| US09028591B2 |
Climate control system having multiple adsorbers and a method of control
A climate control system and a method of control. The climate control system may have first and second adsorbers and a door that controls airflow through the first and second adsorbers. The first adsorber adsorbs moisture from the airflow and the second adsorber desorbs moisture when the door is in a first position. |
| US09028589B2 |
Method and device for gas cleaning
A method for separating particles from particle-laden gas. Charged particles are formed by charging particles of a particle-laden gas. A gas jet is provided by guiding the particle-laden gas by a flow guide. Particles from the gas jet are collected to a collecting electrode by an electric field. An effective collecting area of the collecting electrode is positioned such that gas velocity gradient at each point of the effective collecting area is smaller than 10% of the maximum gas velocity in the gas jet divided by the height dimension of the jet. |
| US09028583B2 |
Process for producing refractory metal alloy powders
A process for producing refractory metal alloy powders includes the steps of blending at least one powder with at least one solvent and at least one binder to form a slurry; forming a plurality of agglomerates from the slurry; screening the plurality of agglomerates; sintering the plurality of agglomerates; and melting said plurality of agglomerates to form a plurality of homogenous, densified powder particles. |
| US09028581B2 |
Method and device for breaking up ore
The invention relates to methods and devices for breaking up ore. The methods and devices are characterized in particular in that ore mineral or ore minerals can be subsequently easily extracted. For this purpose coherent NIR radiation, non-coherent NIR radiation, at least one electric alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one magnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, at least one electromagnetic alternating field having a frequency greater than 300 GHz, or a combination thereof are respectively applied to the ore at least once by means of a device for generating the radiation, the at least one alternating field, or the radiation and the at least one alternating field, wherein ore mineral, ore minerals, absorbent components, or ore minerals and absorbent components of the ore absorb(s) energy from the radiation, the alternating field, or the radiation and the alternating field and said energy is not or is only slightly absorbed by the lode matter. Thus, advantageously, cracks are formed in the ore or the ore splits by means of the resulting stresses. |
| US09028580B1 |
Methods for processing human waste
Methods are provided for processing municipal human waste such that the processed material is is greater than 99% free of pathogenic organisms. The processed material can be used as an organic fertilizer or a “Class A” organic fertilizer. The methods include reducing the moisture content of human sludge free of polymeric flocculant to less than about 30% moisture and processing the sludge through an extruder under conditions having a minimum temperature of about 140° C., a residence time of about 30 seconds, and an atmospheric pressure differential of about 40 atmospheres. The methods are economical and have numerous advantages including reduced use of fossil fuel, fast processing time, and production of an odor free organic fertilizer free of many land use restrictions. |
| US09028576B2 |
Gearbox deoiler with pre-pressuring component
A gearbox includes an inlet configured to receive a mixture of air and oil from an external source and a deoiler. The deoiler includes a shaft including an inlet passage and an outlet passage, both formed on an inner portion of the shaft and separated from one another, a separator unit coupled to and surrounding a portion of the shaft and including an inlet and an outlet and a pre-pressuring component coupled to the shaft that increases the pressure of the mixture of oil and air to form a pressurized mixture and provides the pressurized mixture to the inlet of the separator unit. |
| US09028574B2 |
Polishing composition
A polishing composition contains colloidal silica particles having protrusions on the surfaces thereof. The average of values respectively obtained by dividing the height of a protrusion on the surface of each particle belonging to the part of the colloidal silica particles that has larger particle diameters than the volume average particle diameter of the colloidal silica particles by the width of a base portion of the same protrusion is no less than 0.245. Preferably, the part of the colloidal silica particles that has larger particle diameter than the volume average particle diameter of the colloidal silica particles has an average aspect ratio of no less than 1.15. Preferably, the protrusions on the surfaces of particles belonging to the part of the colloidal silica particles that has larger particle diameters than the volume average particle diameter of the colloidal silica particles have an average height of no less than 3.5 nm. |
| US09028566B2 |
Transfer mechanism
A mechanism for transferring a flexible sheet material (202) from a first substrate (203) to a second substrate (204) is disclosed, the mechanism having a head rotatable and translatable relative to the first and second substrates, the head (201) comprising a cylindrical curved portion (205) having an outer face (207) across which are provided openings (206) configured to apply air pressure to sheet material (202) contacting the outer surface (207) such that the head (201) is adapted to transfer the sheet material (202) from the first substrate (203) to the second substrate (204) by a combination of rotation and translation of the head (201). |
| US09028565B2 |
Composite separator for use in a lithium ion battery electrochemical cell
A composite separator and a method of making a composite separator are disclosed. The composite separator includes one or more electrospun polymer fibers and ceramic particles. And the method of making a composite separator includes electrospinning a first non-woven polymer fiber mat, applying ceramic particles over the first non-woven polymer fiber mat, and then electrospinning a second non-woven polymer fiber mat over the first non-woven polymer fiber mat and the ceramic particles. Once formed, the composite separator may be incorporated into an electrochemical battery cell of a lithium ion battery. |
| US09028564B2 |
Methods of making metal-doped nickel oxide active materials
Methods of making high-energy cathode active materials for primary alkaline batteries are described. The primary batteries include a cathode having an alkali-deficient nickel(IV)-containing oxide including one or more metals such as Co, Mg, Al, Ca, Y, Mn, and/or non-metals such as B, Si, Ge or a combination of metal and/or non-metal atoms as dopants partially substituted for Ni and/or Li in the crystal lattice; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte solution. |
| US09028563B2 |
Foam-type hair dye composition for improving hair softness without dripping
The present invention relates to a hair dye composition, and more particularly, to a foam-type hair dye composition comprising: a first agent including a dye and an alkaline agent and a second agent including an oxidant; and a nonionic viscosity increasing agent of a PEG-aliphatic acid ester or a PPG-aliphatic acid ester in one or both of the first agent and the second agent, thereby largely improving dyeing properties without dripping after the composition is coated on hair. |
| US09028562B2 |
Dye composition using a 2-hydroxynaphthalene, (acylamino)phenol or quinoline coupler in a fatty-substance-rich medium, dyeing process and device therefor
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: a) one or more fatty substances; b) one or more surfactants; c) one or more oxidation bases; d) one or more couplers based on 2-hydroxynaphthalene derivatives or particular phenol derivatives, acylaminophenol derivatives or quinoline derivatives; f) one or more basifying agents; e) optionally one or more chemical oxidizing agents; and the fatty substance content representing in total at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to a multi-compartment device that is suitable for performing the said process. |
| US09028561B2 |
Bluing composition and method for treating textile articles using the same
A bluing composition concentrate comprises an aqueous medium and at least one colorant that exhibits a blue or violet shade when deposited onto a textile material. The concentrate can be used to produce a bluing composition, and the bluing composition can be used to treat textile materials in such a way as to decrease the visually-perceived yellow coloration of textile articles that can occur with repeated use and laundering. |
| US09028560B2 |
Artificial arm prosthesis terminal device
A terminal device is described which is attachable to the end of a prosthesis on an arm and there serves as an attachment site for a variety of tools or implements designed to mate with the terminal device. A locking ring mechanism is also described herein. The terminal device comprises a first main part in operable and pivotal combination with a second main part, the combined main parts providing on one end a device for attaching to the end of an a prosthesis, and on the other a device for attaching a variety of implements, the said device for implement attachment providing articulation capabilities that allow positioning of the implements in a variety of positions relative to the position of the arm prosthesis. Among the implements which can be attached are for example: cutting tools (such as saws, files, knives, scrapers, and awls); various wrenches (such as open end wrenches, closed end wrenches, ratchet wrenches, adjustable wrenches, Allen wrenches, and pipe wrenches); and a variety of other implements such as spoons, scoops, spatulas, planes, brushes, sports equipment (e.g., fishing rods), and stirring devices. |
| US09028557B2 |
Prosthetic with voice coil valve
A prosthetic includes a pair of prosthetic members movably coupled together to allow movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. A hydraulic actuator or damper including hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic chamber is coupled to one of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic piston is movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber and coupled to another of the pair of prosthetic members. A hydraulic flow channel is fluidly coupled between opposite sides of the chamber to allow hydraulic fluid to move between the opposite sides of the chamber as the hydraulic piston moves therein. A voice coil valve is coupled to the hydraulic flow channel to vary resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow channel, and thus movement of the piston in the chamber, and thus influencing a rate of movement of the pair of prosthetic members with respect to one another. |
| US09028555B2 |
Artificial knee joint
An artificial knee joint comprising a femoral component and a tibial plate is provided. The femoral component includes a medial condyle, a lateral condyle, a first sliding surface for coupling the medial and lateral condyles, while leaving an opening therebetween, and a second sliding surface above the first sliding surface. The tibial plate includes a medial fossa, a lateral fossa, a post insertable into the opening, a third sliding surface which the first sliding surface contacts at a posterior surface of the post, and a fourth sliding surface which the second sliding surface contacts behind the post. The artificial knee joint is configured to move in a first sliding state in which the first sliding surface is in contact with the third sliding surface, or a second sliding state in which the second sliding surface is in contact with the fourth sliding surface, according to a flexion angle. |
| US09028553B2 |
Self-pivoting spinal implant and associated instrumentation
An intervertebral implant includes an insertion end, an opposing engagement end, and first and second opposed main surfaces configured to contact respective adjacent vertebral endplates. Each of the first and second main surfaces has an anterior edge, a posterior edge, and extends between the insertion and engagement ends. Anterior and posterior walls are formed between the first and second main surfaces and along the respective anterior and posterior edges and converge at the insertion and engagement ends. A slot is formed at the engagement end and extends continuously between and at least partially along the anterior and posterior walls. A post is positioned within the slot, spaced from at least one of the anterior and posterior walls and extending at least partially between the first and second main surfaces. The post includes a plurality of exposed facets and is configured for engagement with a pivotable insertion instrument. |
| US09028543B2 |
Device viewable under an imaging beam
The invention provides a stent made from a material operable to perform a stent's desired therapeutic functions, and also made from a material that has a radiopacity that substantially preserves the appearance of the stent when the stent is viewed under a CT imaging beam. Such a stent can allow for follow-up of the stent and the surrounding blood-vessel on CT. |
| US09028541B2 |
Stent with actively varying ring density
A stent and method comprising inserting within a vessel an unexpanded stent that includes a first zone comprising a plurality of adjacent ring elements, not less than three in number, that are distributed along the stent with a first spacing, and a second zone comprising a plurality of adjacent ring elements that are distributed along the stent with a second spacing, and expanding the stent to cause the plurality of ring elements in the first zone to redistribute to a third spacing that is smaller than the first spacing and to cause ring elements in the second zone to distribute to a fourth spacing larger than the first spacing. |
| US09028539B2 |
Flanged graft for end-to-side anastomosis
An inventive flanged graft for end-to-side anastomosis includes a tubular graft member and a flanged section The type and size of the flanged section is determined by various factors such as identity of the receiving artery, position of the arteriotomy on the receiving artery, and luminal diameter of the graft. The graft is preferably anastomosed to the receiving artery using continuous sutures to join the arteriotomy to the peripheral edges flanged section. |
| US09028538B2 |
Vertebral body nerve and vein cauterizing system and method
Disclosed are vertebroplasty methods that include cauterizing an inner cavity of a vertebra of a mammal, such as a human, and injecting bone cement into the vertebra. Systems and kits for performing such methods are also disclosed. |
| US09028535B2 |
Connection assembly
An orthopedic connection assembly is described that comprises a housing member for receiving an implant that is operably connected to a receiving member for receiving an anchor member. The connection assembly is configured to have a locking mechanism that secures and fixes the relative orientation between the implant and the anchor member. The connection assembly can comprise a plate member receivable within the housing member. When a securing member such as a set screw is introduced downwardly into the housing member to secure the implant, the securing member applies a lateral force to the plate member, which presses against an interference member within the receiving member. The interference member presses against the anchor member, such that the anchor member is fixed in a position relative to the implant. |
| US09028532B2 |
Flexible, sliding, dynamic implant system, for selective stabilization and correction of the vertebral column deformities and instabilities
Flexible, sliding, dynamic implant system, for selective stabilization and correction of the vertebral column deformities and instabilities is constituted of a set is constituted by a set of flexible vertebral implants, which are articulated, sliding and dynamic (1) that belongs to the prosthetic and implants medicine field, constituted of two linear parallel sequences of U-shaped supports or platforms (3) where each pair of the sequence is connected with selective mobility to pedicular screws (4) fixed, also in parity, in the due posterior bony portion (5) of each vertebra (6) two thin, continue and flexible metallic blades (8) are coupled between the edges (lateral portion of the platforms with tracks (7) which belong to each U-shaped support. The inferior thin blade (8) is a fixed to the first U-shaped support (3) which corresponds to the first inferior vertebra (6) of the vertebral portion to be implanted. The flexible thin blade (8) is, on its turn, fixed on the upper vertebra platform in a way that it is blocked in only one extremity, thus with the free internal extremity causing the blades to slide in postural flex condition or any other movement requested to the extension of the implanted vertebral column (2). |
| US09028528B2 |
Seal element for anastomosis
A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material. |
| US09028527B2 |
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure device with radial and circumferential support
The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as a septal defect or patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by an intermediate joint. Each of the sides includes at least one elongate element, which is arranged to form non-overlapping loops. Each loop has at least one radially-extending segment that is adjacent to a radially-extending segment of another loop. In at least some embodiments, at least one pair of adjacent radially-extending segments is connected. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture, thereby exerting a compressive force on the septal tissue that is distributed along both the outer periphery of the occluder and the radially-extending segments. |
| US09028524B2 |
Methods for maintaining a filtering device within a lumen
In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an endovascular device having a multi-lumen tubular structure; a pharmacological agent filing a first lumen of the multi-lumen tubular structure; and a support member extending through a second lumen of the multi-lumen tubular structure wherein the multi-lumen tubular structure conforms to the shape of the metal support member when the support member is inserted into the second lumen. In one aspect, the support member includes a pair of opposing spiral support members that form a slidable crossover point. In one aspect, a filter is provided having a pair of opposing spiral support members that form a slidable crossover point and a first and second loop; and a material capture structure that can be coated with a pharmacological agent. |
| US09028521B2 |
Obturator tips
A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft and a dilating member disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft has proximal and distal ends and defines a longitudinal axis. The dilating member has an outer surface that includes at least one atraumatic edge member. The at least one atraumatic edge member extends proximally from a tip of the dilating member. The dilating member has a first substantially triangular cross-section disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis. |
| US09028520B2 |
Tissue separating systems and methods
Systems and methods for separating an object such as a pacing lead from a patient tissue involve a flexible and torqueable shaft having an internal lumen sized to receive the object, and a hard separating mechanism for separating the object from the tissue. Typically the shaft and separating mechanism are advanced along or toward the object, and the separating mechanism is contacted with the tissue. The shaft is rotated to effect separation between the object and the tissue. The systems and methods are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures. |
| US09028518B2 |
Tissue removal device for neurosurgical and spinal surgery applications
A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula may include a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector may also be provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula reciprocates at a rate that is greater than 1000 reciprocations per minute, and variable aspiration may also be provided to the device to control tissue traction and provide fine shaving and debulking. |
| US09028517B2 |
Surgical disc removal tool
The disclosure provides a tissue removal device including customizable tips. The tissue removal device may include an outer shaft and a threaded shaft. One aspect of disclosure may include a shaft cutting tool that emerges from the end of the outer shaft. Another aspect of the disclosure may include a flexible cutting blade extending from the threaded shaft. Threaded shaft may be driven by a driving mechanism in order to provide an auger-like suction mechanism to facilitate the transfer of removed tissue to a collection chamber that is coupled to the outer shaft and the threaded shaft. |
| US09028515B2 |
Ultrasonic surgical instruments
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. A selectively removable laminate liner is positionable over the tissue contacting surface of the jaw member and configured to prevent contact between the tissue contacting surface and the cutting blade when the cutting blade is treating tissue. |
| US09028511B2 |
Devices and methods for placement of partitions within a hollow body organ
Devices and methods for tissue acquisition and fixation, or gastroplasty, are described. Generally, the devices of the system may be advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body, e.g., transorally, endoscopically, percutaneously, etc., to create one or several divisions or plications within the hollow body organ. Such divisions or plications can form restrictive barriers within a organ, or can be placed to form a pouch, or gastric lumen, smaller than the remaining stomach volume to essentially act as the active stomach such as the pouch resulting from a surgical Roux-En-Y gastric bypass procedure. Moreover, the system is configured such that once acquisition of the tissue by the gastroplasty device is accomplished, any manipulation of the acquired tissue is unnecessary as the device is able to automatically configure the acquired tissue into a desired configuration. |
| US09028509B2 |
Insertion device for delivery of a mesh carrier
An insertion device includes an elongate member and a stylet. The elongate member has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and defines a lumen therethrough. The stylet has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and is slidably coupled to the elongate member. The stylet is configured to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the elongate member. The distal end portion of the stylet is configured to removably couple a mesh carrier thereto. A portion of the distal end portion of the stylet is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate member when the stylet is in its first position and is disposed within the lumen when the stylet is in its second position. |
| US09028508B2 |
Epilating apparatus
The present invention is directed to an epilating apparatus (10) comprising a first disc assembly (12) arranged in a first row (14) and at least a second disc assembly (16) arranged in a second row (18), wherein during operation of the apparatus (10) the first disc assembly (12) and the second disc assembly (16) rotate (substantially) in a same direction. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a circumferential speed of the first disc assembly (12) is different from a circumferential speed of the second disc assembly (16). In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the first disc assembly and the second disc assembly are arranged angularly relative to each other. |
| US09028507B2 |
Follicular extraction punch and method
Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts. |
| US09028505B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a member
A method and tool for driving a bit. The tool includes a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The handle can be in a first configuration to provide a first drive ration. In a second configuration, such as a T-shaped configuration, a gear assembly can be disengaged to provide a second drive ratio for the bit driving system. |
| US09028495B2 |
Surgical instrument with a separable coaxial joint
A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members. |
| US09028487B2 |
Expandable probe
An expandable probe and a method of delivering energy to a tissue using the expandable probe are provided. The expandable probe includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending at least partially therethrough and a longitudinal axis. The expandable probe also includes an arm operably connected to the distal portion. The arm has a first surface including an electrode extending over at least a portion of the first surface and the electrode is operably connectable to an energy source. The arm has a closed configuration and an expanded configuration where the arm in the closed configuration extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and in the expanded configuration the arm extends away from the longitudinal axis. |
| US09028485B2 |
Self-expanding cooling electrode for renal nerve ablation
A metallic tube arrangement includes an electrode region configured to expand radially and contract radially in response to increasing and decreasing a temperature at the electrode region, respectively. The electrode region is configured for intravascular deployment and delivery of high frequency energy to target tissue of a target vessel of the body. The electrode region is configured to expand radially to a diameter sufficient to contact an inner wall of the target vessel in response to a decrease in electrode region temperature and to contract radially to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the target vessel in response to an increase in electrode region temperature. |
| US09028476B2 |
Dual antenna microwave resection and ablation device, system and method of use
A system for generating microwave energy includes a microwave generator that generates first and second microwave signals, a transmission line and a dual antenna microwave device. The transmission line transmits the first and second microwave signals to the microwave device. The microwave device includes a first antenna proximal a second antenna and a dual-sided choke positioned therebetween. The first antenna receives the first microwave signal from the transmission line between a first conductor and a second conductor and the second antenna receives the second microwave signal between the second conductor and a third conductor. The dual-sided choke includes a first and a second antenna choke circuit. The first antenna choke circuit limits the propagation of electromagnetic fields generated by the first antenna toward the second antenna and the second antenna choke circuit limits the propagation of electromagnetic fields generated by the second antenna toward the first antenna. |
| US09028474B2 |
Microwave surface coagulator with retractable blade
An ablation instrument having an ergonomic handle that includes an actuator adapted to selectively extend and retract a blade that is pivotably mounted within an aperture assembly coupled to the housing by a shaft. The shaft extends distally from the handle and includes a coaxial feedline, a wire conduit disposed along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a pull wire disposed within the wire conduit and having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a proximal end of the pull wire is operably coupled to the actuator. The aperture assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a reflector having a closed upper portion, and an open lower portion from which the blade may be extended for use. Also disclosed is an ablation system that includes the above-described ablation instrument, a source of ablation energy, and optionally, a source of coolant for cooling the shaft and aperture assembly. |
| US09028473B2 |
Tissue ablation system with energy distribution
A microwave ablation system includes an energy source adapted to generate microwave energy and a power splitting device having an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a plurality of outputs. The plurality of outputs are configured to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of energy delivery devices. The power splitting device is configured to selectively divide energy provided from the energy source between the plurality of energy devices. |
| US09028471B2 |
Cover, a treatment device and a method of use of such a device
This invention concerns a cover member, especially for a HIFU head, comprising a peripheral outer wall, an open first side configured to partially cover an ultrasound head and a closed second side comprising a flexible membrane adapted for contact with a patient's skin, characterized in that the cover member is removeably attachable to the tip of said ultrasound probe. |
| US09028470B2 |
Image-guided renal nerve ablation
A method of treating hypertension in a mammal is described, including: by focused sound energy, heating at least one nerve at a surface of a renal artery in a mammal; during the heating and by magnetic resonance imaging, repeatedly determining thermal levels in each of first and second volumetric zones of a region that includes at least a portion of the surface, the second zone being adjacent to the first zone; after determining that an indicium of a thermal level in the first zone exceeds a first threshold, and upon determining that an indicium of a thermal level in the second zone exceeds a second threshold, ceasing the heating of the at least one nerve for at least three months; and as a result of the heating, lowering a blood pressure in the mammal. |
| US09028469B2 |
Method of treating cellulite
A treatment for subcutaneous fat and/or cellulite includes delivering a beam of radiation to a subcutaneous fat region disposed relative to a dermal interface in a target region of skin. The beam of radiation affects at least one fat cell in the subcutaneous fat region without causing substantial unwanted injury to the epidermal region and causes thermal injury to a dermal region to induce collagen formation to strengthen the target region of skin in a target region of skin. The treatment can include cooling an epidermal region of the target region of skin. |
| US09028468B2 |
Robotic apparatus for minimally invasive surgery
A robotic arm especially suited for laparoscopic surgery, having a torsional joint and a flexural joint forming serially arranged joints is described. The joints provide respective degrees of freedom for the arm, which further receives drive means for such joints. The robotic arm also has transmission means placed between the drive means have and the joints. The transmission means a first and a second assembly of three gear wheels, preferably conical gear wheels, and a train of three additional gear wheels, preferably straight-cut gear wheels, which couple the first and second assembly to form a differential mechanism. |
| US09028463B2 |
Microneedle device, and method for enhancing the efficacy of influenza vaccine by using microneedle device
The present invention provides a method for enhancing the immunogenicity using a microneedle device capable of enhancing the immunogenicity of an influenza vaccine. According to the method for enhancing the immunogenicity using the present microneedle device, a microneedle device having microneedles made of polylactic acid, coated with an influenza vaccine composed of an antigen having type A strain (H1N1), type A strain (H3N2), and type B strain as active ingredients is brought into direct contact with the skin so as to transcutaneously administer the aforementioned influenza vaccine. After the transcutaneous administration, lauryl alcohol is applied to the site of the skin where the microneedle device has been brought into direct contact. |
| US09028456B2 |
Infusion pump
An infusion pump is provided with a slide clamp mechanism having a clamp member for closing or opening an infusion tube and a valve mechanism for pressing the infusion tube to stop flow of a solution in the infusion tube and has a structure where an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the slide clamp mechanism with the valve mechanism only by manipulation of a handle is disposed. During a series of manipulations of the handle, the infusion tube is always closed by one or both of the slide clamp and valves 14A and 14B, so that free flow of a solution in the infusion tube 40 can be entirely prevented. |
| US09028455B2 |
Cylindrical holder for pharmaceutical product container intended to be set in rotation
A cylindrical holder for housing a pharmaceutical product container in a hand-piece of a surgical instrument for perforating dense tissue of a human or animal body and injecting a pharmaceutical product behind or in the tissue. The cylindrical holder connects an injection needle with the container. The holder has a tubular wall for receiving the container. The tubular wall includes contact areas defined by bridges of material subsisting between cut-outs located along circumferential rows, the bridges of material having deflections towards the inside of the cylindrical holder. A surgical instrument for perforating dense tissue of a human or animal body and injecting a pharmaceutical product behind or in the tissue, and includes a hand-piece and the cylindrical holder. |
| US09028454B2 |
Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices
A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device. |
| US09028451B2 |
Injection device
An injection device 110 is described having a housing 112 and a cap 130. The injection device 110 houses a syringe 114 having a needle which is sealed by a boot 118. The cap 130 is arranged so that the boot 118 can be connected to the cap 130 while exerting a minimal force on the syringe, but cannot be removed from the cap 130 without applying a significantly greater force to the syringe. The housing 112 and cap 130 are arranged so that upon removal of the cap 130 from the housing 112, the boot 118 is removed from the syringe 114. |
| US09028450B2 |
Syringe capable of measuring temperature of a patient body and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are a syringe capable of measuring an inner temperature of a patient body and a method of manufacturing the same. In the syringe, a different metal from that of a syringe needle is deposited on an inclined surface of a tip portion of the syringe needle to form a thermocouple junction with the metal of the syringe needle, whereby the region causing pain in a patient body can be diagnosed while allowing administration of medicine thereto, thereby enabling efficient treatment and significantly reducing potential harm due to drug abuse. |
| US09028445B2 |
Apparatus and method for chilling cryo-ablation coolant and resulting cryo-ablation system
Apparatus and methods for cooling liquid coolant, such as nitrous oxide, to be delivered to a cryo-ablation device such as a balloon catheter. A hose or conduit in fluid communication with the ablation device includes an outer member and inner tubes. A first inner tube disposed within a lumen of the outer member carries liquid coolant to the ablation device. Another inner tube also disposed within the lumen carries liquid coolant and terminates within the lumen such that gaseous coolant derived from liquid coolant flowing through the second inner tube flows within the lumen to cool or chill the first inner tube and liquid coolant carried by the first inner tube to the ablation device. |
| US09028443B2 |
Weeping balloon catheter with drug delivery balloon in fluid communication with combination lumen
A weeping balloon catheter includes a catheter having an elongate tubular body defining an inflation lumen and a combination lumen that terminates at an open distal end of the elongate tubular body. A dilation balloon is disposed at a distal end of the elongate tubular body and is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. A drug delivery balloon is disposed at least partially over the dilation balloon and includes at least one drug release opening through an outer wall of the drug delivery balloon. The drug delivery balloon is in fluid communication with the combination lumen through a sidewall opening of the elongate tubular body. |
| US09028442B2 |
Variable length catheter for drug delivery
A method for localized delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent within a vessel is provided. The method provides for adjustability of the length of the treatment area and for reducing of pressure within the treatment area. A catheter system includes an inner elongated element, an outer elongated element positioned coaxially with respect to the inner elongated element, and a blood-release element at a distal end of the inner elongated element. A proximal occlusion element is positioned at the distal end of the outer elongated element, proximal to an outlet port. A distal occlusion element is positioned at a distal end of the inner elongated element. The distal end of the inner elongated element is distal to and movable with respect to the outer elongated element distal end. |
| US09028439B2 |
Method for preparing a treatment machine and treatment machine
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a treatment machine for the treatment of a medical liquid comprising a coupling surface with actuators, with a cassette comprising a hard part with liquid-conducting passages which are covered by a flexible film being able to be coupled to the coupling surface of the treatment machine so that the actuators can control the liquid flow in the liquid-conducting passages by pressing the flexible film down into the cassette. In this connection, a switch is made after the setting up of the treatment machine and before the start of treatment into a stand-by mode in which the actuators are alternately moved to relieve the flexible film. It is possible for the first time by the stand-by mode before the start of treatment in accordance with the invention to completely uncouple the time-consuming setting up of the treatment machine from the treatment itself in a time aspect. The present invention furthermore comprises a corresponding treatment machine having a control for the carrying out of the method in accordance with the invention. |
| US09028437B2 |
Method for delivering an agent to the abdomen
A method and apparatus for treating gas for delivery into a body cavity, body space or body surface of an animal. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. One or more agents are released into the gas stream that flows through the chamber so that the gas stream carries the agent to the animal. Also shown, for use with, or without, the chamber, is an agent chamber adapted to be coupled to at least one structure defining at least one fluid flow path extending at least a portion of the distance between an insufflation device and the body cavity, body space or body surface. |
| US09028436B2 |
Hemodialysis system with cassette-based blood and dialyste pumping
A hemodialysis system includes: (i) a dialyzer; (ii) a dialysate source; a dialysate pump; (iii) a dialysate cassette operatively connected to the dialysate pump such that the dialysate pump can pump dialysate through the dialysate cassette when the dialysate cassette is in fluid communication with the dialysate source, the dialysate cassette in fluid communication with the dialyzer; (iv) a blood pump; and (v) a blood cassette separate from the dialysate cassette, the blood cassette operatively connected to the blood pump such that the blood pump can pump blood through the blood cassette, the blood cassette including a housing, the housing including a from-patient tube connector, a to-patient tube connector, a saline/priming tube connector, a to-dialyzer tube connector, a from-dialyzer tube connector, and an internal air separation chamber. |
| US09028435B2 |
Device and method for control of hemorrhage
A junctional and truncal tourniquet and a hip-girdling pelvic sling device for maintaining a desired amount of tension surrounding a person's hips and pelvis to securely support and stabilize a pelvis that has been fractured and for securing a pressure applying device to a person so that blood vessel-occluding pressure can be applied. Areas of mating types of fastener material such as mating hook-bearing fastener material and loop pile fastener material are arranged on the device to enable a strap to be secured at various effective lengths to provide a wide range of adjustability. The device may include inflatable bladders, stays, and a chin support and may be wrapped around a patient's neck as a cervical support collar, or around the torso to occlude blood vessels proximal to an injury on a limb. |
| US09028431B2 |
Status detecting device to be attached to a living being
A status detecting device is described for being attached to a living being, in particular a person, to detect the position of the body of the living being, having a first sensor, configured as an acceleration sensor and/or a gyroscopic sensor. An additional, second sensor, configured as a height measuring sensor, is also provided. Also described is a corresponding method. |
| US09028430B2 |
Footwork training system and method
A system and method for evaluating an activity includes an article of clothing provided with a sensor capable of detecting the impact of the article of clothing, such as a shoe, on a surface. A system receives and interprets the pattern of impacts made during the performance of the activity. The system compares these impacts with those of a target routine. Iterations of the same performance may be stored in the system so that ongoing progress may be measured. The system may be used to enhance class teaching, in the home, or for Internet competition. The activity may include dance, yoga, martial arts, or similar activities. |
| US09028420B2 |
Electronic device and method for measuring pulse
The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a method of measuring pulse adapted for the device. The electronic device includes a capacitive type touch control unit to sense the change of pulse and the capacitive type touch control unit includes a capacitor. The method includes steps: detecting a pulse of a user in real time and sampling the pulse every sample period, measuring charge-discharge time of the capacitor according to the sampled pulse at each sample period, counting a capacitance value of the capacitor according to the charge-discharge time corresponding to each sampled pulse, and forming a first wave form showing all counted capacitance values of the capacitor. Doing a spectrum analysis of the all counted capacitance values and performing a Fourier Transform to obtain a second wave form of pulse frequency-amplitude, and displaying the second wave form. |
| US09028414B2 |
Ultrasonic observation apparatus, operation method of the same, and computer readable recording medium
An ultrasonic observation apparatus is provided with a signal amplifier which amplifies a signal of an ultrasonic wave received from a sample with an amplification factor according to a receiving depth in order to use the signal in generating a B-mode image, a B-mode image data generator which generates B-mode image data in which the amplitude of the signal of the ultrasonic wave amplified by the signal amplifier is converted into brightness for display, an amplification corrector which performs correction to cancel the influence of the amplification by the signal amplifier in order to make the amplification factor constant with respect to the signal of the ultrasonic wave amplified by the signal amplifier regardless of the receiving depth, a frequency analyzer which calculates a frequency spectrum by analyzing the frequency of the signal of the ultrasonic wave corrected by the amplification corrector, and a feature data extractor which extracts feature data of the sample by performing an approximation process and an attenuation correction process for reducing the contribution of the attenuation occurring in accordance with the receiving depth of the ultrasonic wave and the frequency in transmitting the ultrasonic wave. |
| US09028412B2 |
Transmissive imaging and related apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described. |
| US09028410B2 |
Systems and methods for processing and transmitting sensor data
Systems and methods for continuous measurement of an analyte in a host are provided. The system generally includes a continuous analyte sensor configured to continuously measure a concentration of analyte in a host and a sensor electronics module physically connected to the continuous analyte sensor during sensor use, wherein the sensor electronics module is further configured to directly wirelessly communicate sensor information to one or more display devices. Establishment of communication between devices can involve using a unique identifier associated with the sensor electronics module to authenticate communication. Times tracked at the sensor electronics module and the display module can be at different resolutions, and the different resolutions can be translated to facilitate communication. In addition, the frequency of establishing communication channels between the sensor electronics module and the display devices can vary depending upon whether reference calibration information is being updated. |
| US09028406B2 |
Oral-esophageal-gastric device to diagnose reflux and/or emesis
A system and method diagnoses esophageal reflux in a patient. A catheter includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure when the catheter is inserted into the stomach of a patient. A second pressure sensor is located proximal to the distal tip and configured to measure intra-thoracic pressure. A pH indicator is carried by the catheter body and configured to indicate that reflux has occurred in response to an involuntary reflex cough test. A processing device is configured to receive data regarding the first and second pressure sensors and regarding the pH indicator and process that data and assess if reflux is present during the involuntary epoch. |
| US09028403B2 |
Access port having rollable proximal end
A surgical access device for insertion into an opening in tissue includes an adjustable member at a proximal end which is transitionable between an un-deployed configuration where the adjustable member is rolled up proximally and a deployed configuration where the adjustable member is unrolled distally to allow for the use of the surgical access device in an opening having a larger size than the surgical access device. The surgical access device includes an elongate member which is adapted for insertion into an opening in tissue and including a lumen extending therethrough for the reception of a surgical instrument. An adjustable member extends from a proximal portion of the elongate member and is variable between the un-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration where the adjustable member extends distally from the proximal portion of the elongate member when in the deployed configuration to at least partially surround the elongate member. |
| US09028401B1 |
Apparatus and methods for accessing and sealing bodily vessels and cavities
Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra. |
| US09028400B2 |
Counter-rotating ophthalmic scanner drive mechanism
An endoprobe for ophthalmic microsurgical procedures including a hand-piece including a motor, a cannula assembly coupled to the hand-piece, and a transmission system coupling the motor to the cannula assembly is provided. The cannula assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube concentric with the outer tube, each able to rotate about the longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The transmission system rotates the outer tube in a first direction and the inner tube in a second, opposing direction about the longitudinal axis. A method for scanning a light beam along a linear trajectory using a cannula assembly as above is also provided. |
| US09028398B2 |
System for evacuating detached tissue in continuous flow irrigation endoscopic procedures
A continuous flow irrigation endoscope and a continuous flow irrigation fluid management system, both designed to be compatible to each other and to function as a single system. The endoscope and the fluid management system are synergistic to each other such that both enhance the efficiency of each other. The invented system allows a body tissue cavity to be distended by continuous flow irrigation so that detached tissue pieces and waste fluid present inside a body tissue cavity are continuously automatically evacuated from the tissue cavity without causing the cavity to collapse at any stage and without the need of withdrawing the endoscope of a part of the endoscope from the tissue cavity. No type of feedback mechanism, such as mechanical or electrical, or valve or valve like systems, are incorporated in the endoscope to influence or facilitate the removal of detached tissue pieces or waste fluid in any manner. |
| US09028388B2 |
Multi-unit blood processor with volume prediction
Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags. |
| US09028387B2 |
Decanter centrifuge with energy recovery structure
In a decanter centrifuge a bowl is provided and rotates in use around a horizontal axis of rotation, a base plate provided at one longitudinal end of said bowl, the base plate having an internal side and an external side, an outlet opening provided in said base plate, the outlet opening extending through a first angular interval relative to the axis of rotation, and a wall projecting from the external side of said base plate, wherein the wall extends from the vicinity of the outlet opening towards a rim of the base plate, the wall extending through a second angular interval, the second angular interval being at least 30°, and the wall having in a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation an inclination relative to the radial direction of at least 60°. |
| US09028385B2 |
Equipment for insertion of objects into smoking articles
An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material. |
| US09028378B2 |
Exercise device
In general, an exercise device includes a handle having a first end and a second end. A curved member is coupled to the first end of the handle. A movable member is coupled to the curved member, with the movable member configured to travel along a length of the curved member, where the movable member has a first portion and a second portion, and the second portion is configured to move relative to the first portion. An elongate member has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the elongate member is coupled to the second portion of the movable member. A weight is coupled to the second end of the elongate member. |
| US09028370B2 |
Indoor-outdoor exercise system
An embodiment of an exercise system includes an exercise monitoring device that gathers data regarding an outdoor exercise routine. Additionally, a remote communication system communicatively connectable to the exercise monitoring device is receptive to the data regarding the outdoor exercise routine such that the remote communication system generates an exercise program based on the data regarding the outdoor exercise routine. Furthermore, an exercise device that is communicatively connectable to the remote communication system may receive the exercise program and simulate one or more aspects of the outdoor exercise routine. |
| US09028366B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling vehicle
A hybrid vehicle in which at least two shift ranges can be selected for a single running direction includes an engine, a motor generator, an EHC raising the temperature of a catalyst for cleaning up an exhaust gas from the engine, and an ECU. While the vehicle is running, if the engine is stopped and, of the two shift ranges, a shift range where larger decelerating force is produced by regenerative braking of the motor generator has been selected, the ECU causes the EHC to raise the temperature of the catalyst using electric power generated by the motor generator. |
| US09028362B2 |
Powertrain and method for a kinetic hybrid vehicle
A kinetic hybrid device and method for a vehicle may include a planetary gear system configured as a continuously variable transmission comprised of three or four ports. The kinetic hybrid device and method may include a flywheel connected to a first port of the system, a final drive connected to a second port of the system, and the variator for the flywheel connected to a third or fourth port of the system. The prime mover and/or other power sources may share a port with the flywheel, but do not share a port with the final drive. |
| US09028361B2 |
Modular gear unit for a wind turbine
A planetary gear unit (21) of a gearbox of a wind turbine comprising a sun gear (27), planet gears (25, 25′), a ring gear (24), a planet carrier (29) and an outer casing (31); the ring gear (24) being mounted on the outer casing (31); the planet carrier (29) comprising a bogie plate (35) where planet gears (25, 25′) are rotatably mounted on planet shafts (41); the planet carrier (29) comprising a main body (51) and a backplate (53) which can be joined/disjoined to the main body (51) for facilitating the assembly/disassembly of the planetary gear unit (21); the planet carrier (29) being rotatably mounted on said outer casing (31) by means of a first bearing (72) in contact with said main body (51) at the rotor side and by means of a second bearing (73) in contact with said backplate (53) at the generator side. |
| US09028360B2 |
Multi ratio drive
A multi ratio drive including a first drive chain having a first drive chain engaged state and a first drive chain disengaged state; and a second drive chain having a second drive chain engaged state and a second drive chain disengaged state. The first drive chain drives the axle with a first gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state and the second drive chain is in the second drive chain disengaged state; the second drive chain drives the axle with a second gear ratio between the drive shaft and the axle when the second drive chain is in the second drive chain engaged state and the first drive chain is in the first drive chain disengaged state; and the first gear ratio is different from the second gear ratio. |
| US09028353B1 |
Super charger components
A pulley assembly having a body, a shaft mount and a plurality of bolts is disclosed. The body is aligned to the shaft mount by providing a tight tolerance between a shoulder portion of the bolt and a neck portion of a counter sunk hole formed in the body. Additionally, an outer surface of the body may have a pattern of friction lines or patches formed by fusing particulate matter to the outer surface with heat generated by a laser beam. |
| US09028352B2 |
Pulley device for tensioning idler or runner roller
The pulley device for a belt or chain tensioning idler or runner roller comprises a pulley (12), a roller bearing (14), a spacer (18) for the mounting of the rolling bearing (14) and being capable of pressing against an element external to the device, a fastening screw (20) immobilized axially relative to the spacer (18), and at least one retaining ring (22) which is elastic radially and which is mounted inside a groove (60) made on the fastening screw (20), a portion of the ring (22) protruding radially into a recess (52) of the spacer (18). |
| US09028351B1 |
Chain cleaning and lubricating device
A chain cleaning and lubricating device for use with chain driven vehicles, such as motorcycles. The chain cleaning and lubricating device includes a lubrication reservoir for storing chain lubricant, a lubrication applicator, and a control lever that is attachable to the handlebars of a motorcycle. A control cable operatively connects the control lever to a control valve that is operatively situated within the lubrication reservoir. The chain cleaning and lubricating device is affixed to a sprocket housing mounted to the frame of the motorcycle. The lubrication applicator includes a plurality of bristles that extend downward from the bottom surface of the lubrication reservoir to continuously engage the rotating chain of the motorcycle to remove debris from the chain. The control lever is selectively operated to regulate the flow of chain lubricant from the lubrication reservoir to the chain of the motorcycle. |
| US09028344B2 |
Electronic golf assistant utilizing electronic storing
Included are systems and methods for providing data. At least one embodiment of a method includes providing, by a user device, a user interface configured to receive golf scoring data from a user, the user interface including a default score based on predetermined data related to past performance; receiving a first piece of golf scoring data from the user; determining, from the received first piece of golf scoring data, a second piece of golf scoring data; and storing the first piece of golf scoring data and the second piece of golf scoring data. |
| US09028343B2 |
Golf ball
The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a spherical core and at least one cover layer covering the spherical core, wherein the cover is formed from a polyurethane composition containing a polyurethane elastomer as a resin component, the polyurethane composition satisfying properties of rebound resilience of 54% or more and a shear loss modulus G″ of 5.03×106 Pa or less when measured in a shear mode using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus at the conditions of the temperature of 0° C., and the oscillation frequency of 10 Hz, and the spherical core has a hardness distribution that R2 of a linear approximate curve determined by a least-squares method is 0.95 or more, when plotting JIS-C hardness measured at a center, a surface and at intervals of 2.5 mm from the center of the spherical core, versus distances from the center of the spherical core. |
| US09028342B2 |
Golf club and golf club head with a sole cavity feature
A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown and a sole. The sole includes a forward sole surface and a rearward sole surface. The substantially horizontally-oriented forward sole surface extends rearwardly from the ball striking face to a rearward edge. The substantially horizontally-oriented rearward sole surface extends forwardly from the rear of the club head. The rearward sole surface extends over and is offset in a height direction from the rearward edge. A cavity may be located above the forward sole surface, the cavity having a rearward facing opening located below the rearward sole surface. A projection may extend rearwardly from the rearward edge beneath the rearward sole surface, the projection having sides that extend in a generally breadthwise direction. |
| US09028336B2 |
Device and method to precisely isolate and minimize direction errors for short putts
A device for practicing putting of a golf ball includes: an elongate base with opposed first and second ends and an upper surface; an elongate rail with an upper surface and opposed first and second ends, the rail mounted to the base such that the upper surface of the rail is positioned above and generally parallel with the upper surface of the base; a locating feature positioned adjacent the first end of the rail, the locating feature configured to provide a resting place for a golf ball; and a target area positioned near the second end of the base panel located adjacent the second end of the rail. Such a device can provide immediate and accurate feedback on putting errors committed by the user. |
| US09028335B1 |
Golf simulation system
A green simulation apparatus may comprise a covering forming a configurable upper surface with a changeable contour and being flexible such that the covering is movable between a base condition in which the upper surface has a substantially planar configuration and a contoured condition in which the upper surface has a contoured configuration. The apparatus may also comprise a covering support assembly configured to support the covering in the base condition and the contoured condition. |
| US09028334B2 |
Method for manufacturing a bolting part, tool for implementing the method, and device for tightening and loosening such a bolting part
A method for manufacturing a bolting part, such as a screw or a nut. The bolting part having a head with a periphery having at least one shoulder extending in a radial plane. The method includes at least the following forming steps: shearing of a wire of material so as to obtain a part of determined length, calibration of the part so as to correct the geometry of the part, rough machining of the calibrated part so as to obtain the head of the bolting part, and finishing of the rough-machined part by means of a third punch so as to form a head having at least one shoulder. The calibration, rough machining and finishing steps being carried out only by cold heading. |
| US09028331B2 |
Game system, and game apparatus and a storage medium storing a game program for said game apparatus
A game system is provided with a communication mode using communication and a task mode in which a player selects one task from a plurality of tasks (operations), and plays a game with an aim to achieve the task, and operates operation management data 111 so that it is changed by following a predetermined condition whether the status of task is permission or forbiddance. The game system allows the player to select at least one task achieved by the player, and communicates data 112s, 112r in association with the game-play of communication mode between the game apparatuses, the data 112s, 112r being for permitting the selection of task specified by each player. And, the game system operates the operation management data 111 so that the selection of task corresponding to the data 112r received gets permitted. |
| US09028330B2 |
Gaming system
A network-based gaming system includes a website hosted by a web server connected to the network, the website including a member login interface, a social graph application program interface (API), and at least one hyperlink to a multi-dimensional game served by a game server connected to the network and a social graph information reader accessible to the game server, the social graph information reader for identifying one or more players of the game by correlating identification information provided or known about the players with social graph data aggregated about the players, and a game configuration interface resident on and executable from the digital medium accessible to the game server, the game configuration interface enabling a member to configure rules pertaining to game and or game object recognition of, and treatment of certain players of the game determined to be friends of the member. |
| US09028328B2 |
Interactive broadcast sports gaming
A method of interactive gaming includes identifying a broadcast event, generating interactive questions for the broadcast event based upon a subject of the broadcast event, organizing the generated questions based on a structure of the broadcast event, and providing the organized questions to a user during a broadcast of the broadcast event through an interactive gaming interface based on the structure of the broadcast event. |
| US09028327B2 |
Combination casino kiosk and notification result responder device and method therefor
A gaming system has a gaming machine. The gaming machine transmits a signal to a remote device indicating a winning round. |
| US09028325B2 |
Number of players determined using facial recognition
There is provided a system and method for determining a number of players present using facial recognition. There is provided a method comprising capturing an image of the players present, and determining the number of players present based on the image. In this manner, players may more easily configure game settings, whereas spectators may be presented a more engaging experience. |
| US09028321B2 |
Autoplay mechanism for wagering game systems
A wagering game system and its operations are described. In some embodiments, the operations include initiating a wagering game title for presentation on a display device of a gaming machine, and receiving, from the gaming machine, player input indicating autoplay settings selected by a player for the wagering game title. The operations include initiating an autoplay mode for the wagering game title in response to receiving an autoplay trigger from the gaming machine, managing the autoplay mode for the player according to the autoplay setting selected by the player, and generating results for each wagering game of the wagering game title played during the autoplay mode. The operations include monitoring game events associated with the wagering games played during the autoplay mode to determine when to stop the autoplay mode, and stopping the autoplay mode for the player based on the autoplay settings selected by the player. |
| US09028320B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating numbers
A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is terminated manually at any moment of the user's choosing. A further feature permits the base frequency of the oscillator, and thus the counting rate of the counter, to be varied as a function of some external parameter such as a biometric parameter of the user, for example, by detuning the oscillator through a touch pad on the device housing. Visual and/or audible indicia provide a perceptible indication of the relative counting rate. A further, optional feature permits replacement game parameter data to be downloaded from an external source, and stored in nonvolatile memory for use by the microcontroller. |
| US09028318B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing a game which populates symbols along a path
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a game including a path of different symbol display positions. The gaming system generates one or more symbols (and/or one or more awards) at one or more of the symbol display positions of a matrix or grid. The gaming system then randomly forms a path including a plurality of the symbol display positions and determines an award for the player based on which symbol display positions are included in the formed path. |
| US09028316B2 |
Gaming system and a method of gaming
A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, each display position including at least two symbols, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether symbol combinations defined by the displayed symbols correspond to one or more winning outcomes. Each symbol combination includes one symbol from each display position used to form the symbol combination. A corresponding method is also described. |
| US09028311B2 |
Target game incorporating strategy elements
A video game combines finger swiping to hurl a projectile at a target, with strategic elements arising from various combinations of player and target characteristics. User actions such as a direction of finger swipe against a touchscreen, a speed of finger swipe against the touchscreen, and/or a length of finger swipe against the touchscreen, may determine the trajectory and/or force of the projectile. The player may dynamically select specific roles from a plurality of cards available in a deck, with the particular role determining game parameters such as offensive effectiveness and defensive strength. The game may incorporate one or more strategic concepts such as the ability to combine roles, the evolution of roles over time, and the selective enlistment of allies. |
| US09028307B2 |
Register for air-conditioning
A register for air-conditioning includes a tubular register having an air passage and a blowoff opening and register fins 2 for regulating the wind direction of conditioned air blowing out from the blowoff opening. The register fin 2 includes a plate-like fin main body 3 and a pair of plate-like fin covers 4 and 5 assembled so as to sandwich the fin main body 3 from both sides of the fin main body 3 with the end face of the fin main body 3 on the vehicle cabin side being exposed. The fin main body 3 is provided with a plurality of engaging holes 31. The fin covers 4 and 5 are provided, at the positions corresponding to the engaging holes 31, with a plurality of engaging claws (41) and 51 protruding in the thickness direction from the surfaces facing the fin main body 3. The fin main body 3 and the fin covers 4 and 5 are assembled by engaging the engaging holes 31 with the engaging claws (41) and 51. |
| US09028306B2 |
Control method for RESS fan operation in a vehicle
A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort. |
| US09028305B2 |
Coin changer with coin storage cassette having illumination and audible and visual feedback signals
A coin changer including a coin changer housing comprising a coin storage cassette. The coin storage cassette comprises a plurality of coin stores. A light source is located within the housing that directs light onto the coin stores with the light source providing sufficient light to allow a user to substantially view the coin stores in the absence of another light source. |
| US09028302B2 |
Polishing pad for eddy current end-point detection
Polishing pads for polishing semiconductor substrates using eddy current end-point detection are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads for polishing semiconductor substrates using eddy current end-point detection are also described. |
| US09028287B2 |
Watersport paddle
The present invention relates to a watersport paddle blade comprising a throat configured to attach to a shaft, a power face attached to the throat, wherein the power face comprises a main channel beginning at or near the throat, extending along the center of the face and opening at a distal end of the blade, and a plurality of side channels connected to the center channel, wherein the side channels are slanted and extend from the lateral edge inwardly toward the center channel and are angled downwardly toward the distal end of the blade. |
| US09028286B2 |
Bicycle for water and land
Disclosed is a bicycle for water and land including: a first floating means, which is provided on and rotates with a front wheel frame that rotates in conjunction with a handlebar, for unfolding on both sides by means of buoyancy to buoy the front wheel frame when entering water; a second floating means, which is provided on a rear wheel frame, for unfolding on both sides by means of buoyancy to buoy the rear wheel frame when entering water; and propellers, which are provided on a plurality of spokes that are installed on the rear wheel frame so that the surfaces face the direction in which the rear wheel rotates, for generating propelling force in water. |
| US09028283B2 |
Electric wire connection structure of connector terminal and method for fabricating the same
It is an objective to enhance sealing performance of a resin mold without subjecting a connector housing to special work. In an electric wire connection structure of a connector terminal in which an end of an electric wire (W) is connected to a rear portion of a connector terminal (10) and in which the electric wire connection is sealed of a resin mold (20), a step (d) that makes an underside (13b) of a rearmost end of the connector terminal (10) higher than an underside of an area ahead of the rearmost end is provided between the underside (13b) of the rearmost end and the underside (12b) ahead of the rearmost end, thereby assuring space (22) that enables filling of a resin which makes up a resin mold (20). |
| US09028281B2 |
High performance, small form factor connector
Techniques for improving electrical performance of a connector. The techniques are compatible with the form factor of a standardized connector, such as an SFP connector or stacked SFP. The resulting connector has reduced insertion loss for high speed signals. Such techniques, which can be used separately or together, include shaping of conductive elements within the connector while still retaining the same mating contact arrangement. Changes may be made at the contact tail portions or in the intermediate portions where engagement to a connector housing occurs. The techniques also include the incorporation of lossy bridging members between conductive elements designated to be ground conductors. For connectors according to the stacked SFP configuration, multiple bridging members may be incorporated at multiple locations within the connector. |
| US09028279B2 |
Electrical connector having improved resilient contact so as to realize better retaining effect
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of first contacts arranged in a side-by-side manner, and a resilient contact retained in the housing. The housing defines a mating face, a blocking face and a mating cavity disposed between the mating face and the blocking face. Each first contact defines a first contacting portion projecting into the mating cavity. The resilient contact defines a blocking piece abutting against the blocking face, a retaining leg extending out of the mating cavity, and latching arms extending into the mating cavity from the blocking piece. The latching arms can be easily released from a mating connector so as to realize a better retaining effect. |
| US09028275B2 |
Electronic apparatus, category determination method for transmission cable and transmission cable
An electronic apparatus includes: a receptacle having a plurality of pins for connecting a plug of a transmission cable; and a transmission cable determination section adapted to apply a predetermined voltage to a predetermined one of the pins of the receptacle to determine a category of the transmission cable. |
| US09028273B2 |
Electrical connector assembly with environmental shield
An electrical connector assembly for providing an environmental shield includes a bushing adapter configured to sealingly engage a bushing assembly accommodating a first electrical conductor. The bushing adapter further includes a first bore extending longitudinally therethrough to receive the first electrical conductor. An end fitting includes a second bore extending longitudinally therethrough to receive a second electrical conductor, and the end fitting is configured to sealingly engage the bushing adapter such that the first and second bores cooperate to define a main bore. A flowable dielectric material occupies substantially all empty space within the main bore, and at least one fill hole is in fluid communication with the main bore and configured to receive the flowable dielectric material. A method of assembling the electrical connector assembly is also provided. |
| US09028268B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector comprising: a shell, zinc alloy shell, body, front rubber core, rubber plug and wire; said zinc alloy shell body is provided with a holding groove penetrating from the front to rear ends; the front rubber core and the rubber plug are installed inside the zinc alloy shell body, and the shell set externally onto the zinc alloy shell body; the electric connector is provided with a hook unit, which penetrates the front rubber core, and is also coupled with the zinc alloy shell body; at the rear end of said hook unit, a locating part is molded, and also locked at the threading section of the wire. Compared with prior arts, the utility model features excellent air-tightness, anti-EMI capacity and compactness, thus improving the signal transmission capacity of the electric connector. |
| US09028266B2 |
Connector device
A connector device is provided in which a fitting force acts on a female connector and a male connector by operating a lever from a fitting start operation position to a fitting end operation position. The connector device includes a semi-fitting detection portion and a pressing portion. The semi-fitting detection portion is located at a non-projecting position below a peripheral surface of a frame of the female connector and is shifted to a projecting position to project from the peripheral surface of the frame by a pressing force. The pressing portion is provided in the male connector, presses and shifts the semi-fitting detection portion to the projecting position when located at a fitting halfway position before a fitting end position, and stops pressing the semi-fitting detection portion when located at the fitting end position so as to shift the semi-fitting detection portion to the non-projecting position. |
| US09028263B2 |
Waterproof structure of communication connector
A waterproof structure of communication connector is disclosed, which comprises: a first frame; a first gasket and at least one second frame. The first frame is composed of a first connecting member and a second connecting member that are disposed opposite to each other, in which the first connecting member is configured with a first end in a manner that that it is formed with a first groove surrounding the first end. The first gasket is disposed receiving inside the first groove and is made of a waterproofing material. The second frame has a third connecting member that is formed with an accommodation space, in which the accommodation space is formed with an abutment surface. Moreover, the first connecting member is arranged extending into the second frame and connected to the third connecting member, while enabling the first gasket to be sandwiched between the first end and the abutment surface. |
| US09028262B2 |
Junction box, solar cell and method for installing bus bar in junction box
The present invention provides a junction box, which comprises a base, a housing, and a PCB in the housing, a hole is set in the base, and a supporting frame is set on the base; a terminal corresponding to the supporting frame is set on the PCB; a bus bar can pass through the hole and is set on the supporting frame; the terminal is electrically connected with the PCB; when the housing is coupled to the base, the terminal is pressed to fit the corresponding supporting frame; and the PCB is electrically connected to the bus bar through the terminal. The advantage of the present invention is that the PCB is set on the housing. The supporting frame is matched to the terminal, which can electrically connect the bus bar and the PCB, and install the bus bar, to avoid using screws. |
| US09028261B2 |
Snap electrical connector having a circumferential groove and prong interconnection
An electrical connector for selectively connecting at least a first electrical line and a second electrical line together includes an annular ring having at least one electrically-conductive circumferential groove in an outer peripheral surface, an inner surface, or both. An annular socket comprises a plurality of downwardly-projecting electrically-conductive prongs, each of which is resiliently attached at a top end thereof to an annular socket ring. Each prong terminates proximate a bottom end thereof at an electrical contact. The prongs are adapted for electrically and mechanically engaging the grooves of the annular ring. The socket may be pressed onto the ring to resiliently deform the prongs momentarily until the contact of each prong is seated into the groove of the ring. When the socket is rotated with respect to the ring electrical connectivity is maintained between the pair of electrical lines each connected to either the socket or the groove. |
| US09028260B2 |
Automated quiz generation system
In one embodiment, an apparatus may receive metadata that is associated with content. The metadata includes event descriptors that describe events included in the content. The apparatus may generate a question based on at least one of the event descriptors. |
| US09028259B2 |
Wearable CPR assist, training and testing device
A wearable cardiopulmonary resuscitation assist device or system including: a wearable article to be worn by a cardiopulmonary resuscitation performer or a patient, for assisting administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the performer; at least one sensor for measuring at least one parameter to assist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; at least one feedback component for conveying feedback information based on the parameter to the performer for assisting the performer in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and a processing unit, the processing unit being configured to receive the at least one parameter from the at least one sensor and to send information based on the parameter to the at least one feedback component. Also a method for training or improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures using the device. |
| US09028258B2 |
Combined cognitive and physical therapy
The present invention provides method and apparatus to perform combined cognitive and motor rehabilitation on a computerized non-portable system or on single portable device. A patient can play a variety of games that require the patient to perform a variety of memory exercises which involve physical exertion. The activities of the patient are monitored with pattern analysis software which provides feedback to the patient. The feedback can include voice synthesis, video guidance, progression messages etc. Patient data obtained while the patient is performing each of the memory exercises is stored locally on a database module and then uploaded to a cloud server. A remote psychologist/psychiatrist monitors the patient by logging into the same cloud, and updating cognition exercises. The same therapist can have live chats with the patient for further interaction and coaching. |
| US09028252B1 |
Device, system and method for in-situ drill guide sleeve orientation
The present invention relates to a device, system and method for producing a dental implant drill guide and in particular to such a device system and method for positioning a sleeve within a drill guide to determine the drill path for positioning a dental implant at an implantation site over the entire edentulous site where the sleeve may be fixed in its position and orientation anywhere about the edentulous area having full range of motion thereabout, while the sleeve orientation may be fixed by introduction of a curing agent. |
| US09028251B2 |
Illuminating dental instrument, coupling and method of use
A dental instrument, or a coupling connectable to the dental instrument, comprises an illuminator having a plurality of light emitting diodes that are each capable of emitting light at a selected wavelength in a range 260 to 880 nm. White or near white light emitting diodes may also be included together with a switch. Fluorescence-based diagnosis can be assisted by the use of a single dye or mixture of dyes. Light of about 400-540 nm wavelength may be used to distinguish composite, porcelain or other tooth coloured filling materials from normal tooth structures. Light of about 260-450 nm wavelength may be used to identify dental caries, calculus and/or dental plaque. Light of about 350-500 nm wavelength may be used to cure dental composite. Typically, the dental instrument is, or comprises, a drill, de-scaler, or other instruments such as for cleaning, examination or diagnosis of dental conditions. |
| US09028250B2 |
Vibrating dental devices
A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section. |
| US09028248B2 |
Method and installation for producing clinker
The invention relates to a process and a plant for producing cement clinker, which has a furnace system and has essentially the following process steps:—raw material is preheated in a preheater by means of hot offgases from the furnace system,—dust is removed from the hot offgas downstream of the preheater in a preliminary dust removal apparatus to a residual dust concentration of max. 20 g/standard m3,—the offgas which has been subjected to preliminary dust removal is purified in a selective catalytic flue gas purification plant (selective catalytic reduction, SCR),—at least part of the offgas purified in the flue gas purification plant is conveyed in a bypass around a raw material milling plant to a cooling device and cooled there to temperatures of max. 140° C.,—before the residual dust in the offgas is precipitated in a process filter and—at least part of the residual dust precipitated in the process filter is discharged for removal of mercury. |
| US09028245B2 |
Automated setup process for metered combustion control systems
A method is provided for the automated setup of a metered combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The automated setup process includes both commissioning and controller tuning, rather than tuning the carbon monoxide and/or oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed. The oxygen trim controller or the carbon monoxide trim controller is used to identify the air/fuel ratio. |
| US09028244B1 |
Lifter for an injection molding tool
An actuator for an injection molding tool includes a housing, a plunger and a slide member. The housing includes an aperture extending therethrough and a first recess extending through an open end of the aperture. The plunger is slidably received in the aperture and is movable therein relative to the housing between first and second positions. The plunger may include a second recess formed therein that cooperates with the first recess to define a cavity when the plunger is in the first position. The slide member slidably engages the plunger for movement relative to the plunger between an extended position in which the slide member extends into the cavity and a retracted position in which the slide member is retracted out of the cavity. |
| US09028240B2 |
Mold set, compressive device and dumpling forming machine
The present utility model provides a mold set used for dumpling or dumpling-like food product formation comprising a pair of jaws, the closure of which is configured to clamp a dough pad over a filling thereby forming a raw product of the dumpling or dumpling-like food product, wherein the jaws in a closed condition can be driven to simulate the human action of compressing a filling pocket of the dumpling or dumpling-like food product. |
| US09028238B2 |
Molding apparatus and method
A molding apparatus for making a continuous molded article or continuous series of molded articles generally includes a pair of spaced-apart molding assemblies, which cooperatively generate a movable mold having a dynamic mold-cavity therein, each of the molding assemblies including a series of movable mold segments, which are adapted to fit together to form a portion of the dynamic mold-cavity, a drive mechanism for conveying the mold segments along a path, and a dispenser for dispensing a moldable, expandable material into the dynamic mold-cavity. |
| US09028237B2 |
Injection molding machine including a mechanism that changes ejection characteristics
An injection molding machine includes an ejector unit configured to eject a molding product from a mold. The ejector unit includes a support provided on a platen to which the mold is attached, a slidable base configured to slide relative to the support, a transmission mechanism supported by the support and configured to convert an input into an output corresponding to the distance between the support and the slidable base and transmit the output to the slidable base, a drive source configured to cause the transmission mechanism to operate, an ejection member configured to move together with the slidable base, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of the slidable base relative to the ejection member. |
| US09028236B2 |
Injection molding machine including an ejector unit
An injection molding machine includes an ejector unit configured to eject a molding product from a mold and a mold release force sensor configured to detect a force to release the molding product from the mold. |
| US09028235B2 |
Method and apparatus for moving a tube extrusion line along
A method and apparatus for moving along a tube extrusion line. An extruded tube is pushed through the extrusion line, by means of pressure generated by an extruder, to a withdrawal unit that takes over further driving of the tube. In a first-moving along phase, in which the tube has not yet passed a sealing of a calibration cooling unit relative to the atmosphere, the latter is under atmospheric pressure. In a second phase, in which the tube has passed the sealing, the calibration and cooling unit is placed under underpressure. In the first phase, the tube is supported either by internal overpressure or by a mechanical inner guide. A support cylinder extends axially from a casing head of the extruder and extends coaxially into a calibration sleeve in a first section of the calibration and cooling unit. A support plate is disposed between the casing head and an inlet of the calibration sleeve and provides external support for a tube exiting the casing head. |
| US09028228B2 |
Pump
A pump may include a rotatable pumping part, a drive shaft, and a coupling for transmitting rotational movement of the drive shaft to the pumping part. The coupling may include a first part which is connected to the pumping part and a second part which is connected to the drive shaft, the first part having an electrically conductive material and the second part having an element for generating a magnetic field. The second part may be moveable relative to the first part to vary the degree of interaction between a magnetic field generated by the element and the electrically conductive material. Movement of the second part relative to the first part may be caused, at least in part, by a fluid controlled actuator having a piston moveable within a cylinder which is substantially non-rotating, such that the drive shaft and the second part are rotatable relative to the cylinder. |
| US09028227B2 |
Electromagnetic pump with oscillating piston
An electromagnetic pump is provided, which includes a hollow tubular body extending along a longitudinal direction, a piston mounted so as to be able to move inside the hollow tubular body, a solenoid, supplied with alternating current and assembled around at least a portion of the body and a magnetic envelope surrounding at least a portion of the body. The presence of a magnet magnetized longitudinally in a predetermined direction and a magnetic envelope orienting and channeling flux lines created by the magnet either around the solenoid or directly inside themselves creates an oscillating magnetic force on the piston. |
| US09028225B2 |
Motor-driven compressor
A motor-driven compressor includes a connector to which a first and second conductors are connected, and a connector case receiving the connector. The connector case includes a first case member and a second case member. A seal member is provided between the first and second case members. The first case member has a first sealing surface extending along the periphery of the first case member. The second case member has a second sealing surface extending along the periphery of the second case member and facing the first sealing surface. The seal member includes a main seal portion for sealing between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. The main seal portion has a first peripheral seal portion for sealing the periphery of the first conductor inserted therethrough and has a second peripheral seal portion for sealing the periphery of the second conductor inserted therethrough. |
| US09028224B2 |
Air operated double diaphragm pump
A double diaphragm pump is provided. The pump includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, an air valve housing, first and second diaphragm housings, and a collar. The inlet manifold has at least one passageway configured to direct fluid from an inlet port on the inlet manifold. The outlet manifold has at least one passageway configured to direct fluid to an outlet port on the outlet manifold. Each of the housings is in selective fluid communication with the inlet and outlet manifolds. The collar is configured to be rotatably attached to the inlet manifold and the pump. |
| US09028222B2 |
Variable output pump
A variable output pump includes a fluid input, a control stage pump having an input portion and an output portion, a main stage pump having an input portion and an output portion, and a differential linkage in mechanical communication with the control stage pump and the main stage pump. The input portion of the control stage pump is in fluid communication with the fluid input and the input portion of the main stage pump is in fluid communication with the fluid input and the output portion of the control stage pump. |
| US09028220B2 |
Tie rod
A tie rod for extending between a fan shroud and a shaft cap in a rotative assembly includes a first end with threads; a second end with threads; and an elongated portion between the first end and the second end. The tie rod has diameter to length ratio of about 1 to 40.810 to about 1 to 40.768. |
| US09028217B2 |
Rotor system
Embodiments of the invention relate to a rotor system, particularly for use in a wind turbine generator system. A support (11) is provided having first and second rotating members (12, 13) coupled thereto, the rotating members being able to rotate about a common axis. One or more flexible blades (14, 15) having at least two ends are provided, one end being mounted on the first rotating member and another end being mounted on the second rotating member, so that they may rotate about the common axis. Actuating means are provided, being arranged to cause the ends of each blade to move closer together by movement of at least one of the rotating members along the common axis. The first and second rotating members are arranged to rotate relative to each other, said rotation allowing the flexible blades to coil around an axis. |
| US09028214B2 |
Control system for a wind turbine
The present invention relates to a control system for a wind turbine, comprising an electrical device that is arranged for being used during normal operation of a wind turbine and a power source that is arranged to be used as an emergency power supply to a blade pitch motor, wherein the blade pitch motor is arranged to test at least one property of said power source. The invention also relates to a method for testing a power source. |
| US09028213B2 |
Culinary whisk
There is provided a culinary whisk comprising a body including a handle portion and a utility portion connected to the handle portion. The utility portion has a number of loops formed from a plurality of wires, wherein at least one of the wires is provided with a first portion having a non-circular cross section. |
| US09028206B2 |
Thermally actuated assembly for a gas turbine system and method of controlling a cooling airflow path
A thermally actuated assembly for a gas turbine assembly for a gas turbine system includes a heat transfer component having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed within a first cavity having a first temperature and the second portion is disposed in a second cavity having a second temperature, wherein the heat transfer component extends through a cavity wall, wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature. Also included is a temperature sensitive element disposed within the second cavity and in operable communication with the heat transfer component. Further included is a flow manipulating device disposed within the second cavity and configured to displace in response to a temperature change in the first cavity. |
| US09028204B2 |
Centrifugal pump assembly
The centrifugal pump assembly comprises a device for separating gas from the fluid to be delivered, which is arranged on the suction side. The gas separation device is provided with an impact body (2) which at least partly is arranged in the suction-side flow path (11) of the fluid to be delivered, and on the housing side is arranged at a distance to the suction port of the pump. |
| US09028203B2 |
Air diffuser system for industrial pumps
An air diffuser device suitable for use in an air diffuser system for a centrifugal pump the pump including a pump casing with a pumping chamber therein, an impeller mounted within the pumping chamber for rotation about a rotation axis, the impeller including a front side and a rear side. The air diffuser system comprises one or more passages extending through the impeller from the front side to the rear side, the or each passage having a first opening at the rear side and a second opening at the front side of the impeller. The air diffuser device comprises a main body having a seal side and an impeller side, and at least one channel extending through the main body from the seal side to the impeller side, the or each channel having an intake opening at the seal side, a discharge opening at the impeller side, and a base wall extending through the main body, the base wall having a leading end portion at the seal side, and a trailing end portion at the impeller side, the discharge opening being in fluid communication with the first opening of the passage in the impeller when installed. |
| US09028202B2 |
Variable geometry turbine
A variable geometry turbine includes a fluid space formed by a nozzle mount and a nozzle plate; and a plurality of nozzle vanes arranged in the fluid space at certain intervals in the circumferential direction so as to partition the fluid space. The nozzle vanes are supported by shafts on the nozzle mount, in such a manner as to be capable of turning. The flow rate of the discharged fluid can be adjusted by opening or closing the cross-sectional area of a flow path formed by the adjacent nozzle vanes. The nozzle plate is provided with plate projections protruding toward the nozzle vanes further than, at least, end surfaces of the nozzle vanes, so as to cover the spaces between leading edges of the nozzle vanes and trailing edges of the nozzle vanes adjacent thereto, when the nozzle vanes are at a closed position. |
| US09028198B2 |
Workpiece handling systems and related devices and methods
In some aspects, an unloading device for a pipe processing system includes a depositing carriage having a depositing surface for depositing a pipe during and/or after a pipe processing operation, the depositing carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a supporting carriage having a supporting member for the pipe, the supporting member having a wall for radially supporting the pipe, and the supporting carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, where the depositing surface of the depositing carriage and/or the supporting member of the supporting carriage is configured to move in at least one other direction in addition to the longitudinal direction of the pipe so that the depositing carriage and the supporting carriage can be at least partially moved past each other along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. |
| US09028197B2 |
Robot with plurality of belts and intermediate pulley
A robot includes an arm having a base end portion rotatably installed through a joint part and a tip end portion in which an output shaft is installed; and a drive mechanism arranged within the arm and configured to drive the output shaft at a reduced speed. The drive mechanism includes a motor having a motor shaft, a driving pulley attached to the motor shaft, a driven pulley attached to the output shaft, at least one intermediate pulley provided between the driving pulley and the driven pulley, and a plurality of belts for operatively interconnecting the driving pulley and the driven pulley through the intermediate pulley. |
| US09028196B2 |
Traveler roller
A recovery vehicle for recovering other, disabled vehicles, and a method for doing so. A vehicle frame extends along a longitudinal axis, and supports a travel base assembly carrying a boom. The travel base assembly can move along the longitudinal axis of the frame. Two or more traveler rollers may be located between the vehicle frame and the travel base assembly, for supporting the travel base assembly and facilitating longitudinal movement of the travel base assembly relative to the vehicle frame. The traveler rollers may include a plurality of rollers movable about a load-bearing member. Using the invention, a load may be lifted by the boom and moved between positions located at the rear and to the side of the recovery vehicle, without the need to first reposition the boom using boom lift or telescoping cylinders. |
| US09028191B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Reduction in cooling rate of a substrate having a lower temperature is suppressed because the substrate having a lower temperature is not affected by radiant heat of a substrate having a higher temperature while cooling a plurality of substrates in a cooling chamber. The substrate processing apparatus includes a load lock chamber configured to accommodate stacked substrates; a first transfer mechanism having a first transfer arm provided with a first end effector, and configured to transfer the substrates into/from the load lock chamber at a first side of the load lock chamber; a second transfer mechanism having a second transfer arm provided with a second end effector, and configured to transfer the substrates into/from the load lock chamber at a second side of the load lock chamber; a barrier installed between the substrates to be spaced apart from the substrates supported by a substrate support provided in the load lock chamber; and an auxiliary barrier unit installed between the substrate support and the barrier, wherein the auxiliary barrier unit is installed at places other than standby spaces of the end effectors. |
| US09028190B2 |
Bookbinding apparatus
A bookbinding apparatus inserts ring parts of a comb-shaped ring into binding holes of a sheet bundle and files and binds the sheet bundle, sequentially and includes a binding hole forming section configured to form binding holes in the sheet, a compiling section configured to arrange the sheet in which the binding holes are formed to make the sheet bundle, a comb-shaped ring feeding section configured to feed the comb-shaped ring piece by piece, a binding section configured to receive the fed comb-shaped ring, insert the ring parts of the comb-shaped ring into the binding holes of the sheet bundle, and bind the sheet bundle, and a bound-book discharging section configured to transfer the sheet bundle bound by the binding section to a storage stacker. |
| US09028189B2 |
Booklet stacker, ring-binding device, ring-binding system, and booklet stacking method
A booklet stacker to stack multiple booklets each bound with a ring member includes a stack tray on which multiple booklets are stacked, a shifter disposed upstream from the stack tray in a booklet conveyance direction in which a booklet is conveyed, the shifter to adjust a position of the booklet in a width direction perpendicular to the booklet conveyance direction by shifting the booklet a distance shorter than a ring pitch of the ring member in the width direction, and a booklet conveyer disposed upstream from the stack tray in the booklet conveyance direction, to convey the booklet positioned by the shifter to the stack tray. |
| US09028188B2 |
Retention pin and method of forming
An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin. |
| US09028187B2 |
System and method for driving a fastener
A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member. The system further includes a fastener configured to secure the first and/or second decking members to a joist. |
| US09028181B2 |
Expansion chuck for loss-free transmission of a lubricating medium
A tool holder has a body with a spindle side for fastening the tool holder to a spindle of a machine tool and a tool side for accommodating a tool and has a lubricating media passage from the spindle side to the tool side that contains a lubricating media bush adjustable in the axial direction in the body. The lubricating media bush opens out on the tool side of the body, wherein a guide for the lubricating media hush is provided in the body. The guide contains a fitting section in which the lubricating media bush is adjustably guided, wherein a seal is provided which seals the lubricating media bush relative to the body. |
| US09028180B2 |
Cutting tool and cutting head with a resilient coupling portion
A cutting head having a cutting end and an opposite coupling end along a longitudinal cutting head axis; having a cutting head length; and including two major surfaces and a peripheral surface. A male coupling portion extends rearwards from the coupling end, between a base portion and a rear surface, with a circumferential peripheral surface, having a coupling length. A flexibility slot extends from the rear surface opening to the major surfaces, along the cutting head axis, having a slot length and a head slot length. The coupling length is equal to or less than half the head slot length, and the slot length is equal to or greater than half the cutting head length. The cutting head is self-clamped into a tool shank with female coupling portion, by a friction fit between the male and female portion peripheral surfaces, causing the cutting head to elastically deform. |
| US09028177B2 |
Roughing end mill and insert for a roughing end mill
A roughing end mill comprises an end mill body and plural inserts which are placed on an outer circumference of the end mill body with a predetermined distance apart from each other in the axial direction of the end mill body, wherein the plural inserts form plural insert rows which are provided in a circumferential direction of the end mill body, where the inserts are offset in the axial direction from each other between the different insert rows which are adjacent in the circumferential direction. The inserts have waveform cutting edges which face towards an outer circumferential side of the end mill body. One insert of one insert row and an insert of another insert row are positioned such that the waveform cutting edges of each of these inserts make up a waveform cutting edge row whose phase is continuous on a rotation trajectory around the axis. |
| US09028175B2 |
Retaining wall block system
A wall block having a block body having opposed front and back faces, opposed first and second side walls, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom faces, the top face having a receiving channel, and the receiving channel opening onto one or more pin holes. The wall block can be used in a retaining wall made of (i) a plurality of blocks including at least one lower course and at least one upper course, at least one block comprising a block body having opposed front and back faces, opposed first and second side walls, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom faces, the top face having a receiving channel, and the receiving channel opening onto one or more pin holes; (ii) a soil retaining material; and (iii) a channel bar. |
| US09028174B1 |
Boat docking backstop
A device that attaches to the center of a boat slip so a boat entering the slip will engage the device. The device consist of a central vertical member having a horizontal support bar on one end so that the horizontal support bar is approximately centered with respect to the vertical member and is approximately perpendicular thereto. Each end of the horizontal support bar is provided with a forwardly inclined leg that engages the rear end of an approaching boat as the boat backs into the boat slip. Each leg is capable of flexing slightly rearward when engaged by the boat to slow and stop the boat, preventing damage to both the boat and the dock. An alternate embodiment eliminates the vertical member. |
| US09028173B2 |
Sub-sea apparatus and operating method
Apparatus and method for overhauling a flanged coupling of joined conduit components including a gripping mechanism that straddles the flange-coupling and grips both flange-coupled components. The gripping mechanism is mounted on a lifting frame and bears the loadings upon the gripped tubular components during a moving operation. The apparatus also includes a collar sized to fit over the flange-coupling and located in spaced apart cradles supported on a base frame. The cradles are configured to receive the flange-coupled tubular components and position the collar for closure about the flange-coupling. The collar is provided with fasteners for closure of the collar about the flange-coupling, and a fastening mechanism operating the fasteners to secure the collar when closed about the flange-coupling. |
| US09028170B2 |
Water control apparatus
The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein. |
| US09028169B2 |
Downspout dissipator
A dissipator for providing controlled water drainage from a downspout. The dissipator comprises a base and a cover plate. The base provides engagement with a downspout and the cover plate is configured to mount to a portion of the base, defining at least one drainage hole. A skirt portion of the base couples to the downspout so that the at least one drainage hole of the cover plate provides controlled water drainage by dissipating the water flowing within the downspout and through the dissipator. |
| US09028168B1 |
Concrete finishing machine
A concrete finishing machine includes a mobile frame supported above the slab on front and rear wheels with at least one screed roller and a plurality of vibrators are suspended from the frame between the front and rear wheels. The front and rear wheels are rotatable at least ninety degrees between a longitudinally directed traveling orientation and a laterally directed concrete finishing orientation. The front and rear wheels are driven and steerable so that the mobile frame may travel longitudinally down a lane of a road, and then upon pivoting of the wheels, move laterally over a hole in an adjacent lane having uncured concrete to be finished by the finishing machine. |
| US09028167B2 |
Construction machine with material conveying system
A construction machine according to the disclosure comprises a material hopper for receiving bulk material. Moreover, the construction machine includes a material conveying system for conveying bulk material. The material conveying system comprises at least one conveying screw in the area of the hopper. A gap extends underneath the at least one conveying screw, and the gap has a cross section that varies in a conveying direction of the at least one conveying screw. |
| US09028163B2 |
Lever-action connector assembly
A connector assembly that includes a first connector, a lever, a second connector and a link. The lever is pivotally mounted to the first connector for movement about a pivot axis between a first lever position and a second lever position. The second connector has a lug. The link is pivotally coupled to the lever at a location that is spaced apart from the pivot axis. The link has a coupling member with a slotted interior aperture and an engagement tab. The lug is received into the slotted interior aperture when the lever is in the first lever position. The engagement tab engages the lug to inhibit relative movement of the second connector away from the coupling member when the lever is moved from the first lever position to the second lever position. |
| US09028158B2 |
Multi-stage fiber processing system and method
A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber. |
| US09028155B2 |
Latchable module housings and methods of making and using the same
An optical module housing that may be easily seated, locked in and removed from a socket, thereby reducing or eliminating potential damage to the module and socket, and methods for making and using the housing are disclosed. The module housing generally includes a chassis, one or more pivots attached to the chassis, a latch configured to secure the housing in a corresponding slot when in a locked position, a slider configured to be in contact with and/or connected to the latch and to move the latch relative to the chassis, the latch and/or the slider being configured to move on and/or around the pivot(s) and a handle configured to be in contact with and/or connected to the slider such that when the handle moves from a first position to a second position, the slider and latch move to the locked and/or an unlocked positions. |
| US09028153B2 |
Optical fiber having core-to-core alignment
An optical fiber includes a first end and a second end. The optical fiber includes a core for transmitting optical signals from the first end to the second end. The core has end surfaces at the first and second ends and a cladding is positioned around a circumference of the core. Magnetic elements are provided at the end surfaces of the first end and the second end. The magnetic elements are configured to magnetically couple the core to a magnetic element at an end of a core of another optical fiber. The magnetic elements form part of a light transmission path defined by the core. The magnetic elements are optically transmissive and allow optical signals to pass therethrough. |
| US09028146B2 |
Connection assembly
A connection assembly for connection to the mouth of a flexible container comprising of an inner ring having an inner flange around its external diameter and an outer ring having a recess around its inner diameter sized to engage the inner flange. The inner and outer rings being adapted to interengage to trap the mouth between the inner and outer rings. |
| US09028144B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same
Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus which recognizes a marker located at a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from an image of a subject imaged by a camera and which controls a respective movement of each of an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector to a respective position which corresponds to the recognized marker, and a method for controlling the same. An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray tube which radiates X-rays toward a subject, an X-ray detector which detects X-rays which propagate through the subject, an imaging unit which generates an image of the subject, a recognizer which recognizes a part to be subjected to X-ray imaging from the image of the subject, and a position controller which controls a movement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector to a position corresponding to the part to be subjected to X-ray imaging. |
| US09028142B2 |
Integrated microelectronic package temperature sensor
Temperatures in microelectronic integrated circuit packages and components may be measured in situ using carbon nanotube networks. An array of carbon nanotubes strung between upstanding structures may be used to measure local temperature. Because of the carbon nanotubes, a highly accurate temperature measurement may be achieved. In some cases, the carbon nanotubes and the upstanding structures may be secured to a substrate that is subsequently attached to a microelectronic package. |
| US09028141B2 |
On die thermal sensor of semiconductor memory device
An on die thermal sensor (ODTS) of a semiconductor memory device includes a high voltage generating unit for generating a high voltage having a voltage level higher than that of a power supply voltage of the semiconductor memory device; and a thermal information output unit for sensing and outputting a temperature as a thermal information code, wherein the thermal information output unit uses the high voltage as its driving voltage. |
| US09028138B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a heat source, a heat-absorbing cold point, a thermally insulating material for insulating the heat source from the cold point with a conductivity at a use-temperature of electronic device, that is below a thermal-conductivity threshold, and a thermal bridge having first and second ends connected by pads to the heat source and the cold point, and a thermal switch. The thermal bridge extends between the two ends and switches reversibly between conductive and non-conductive states. It includes material of variable thermal conductivity capable of switching over, in response to an addition of energy, between a conductive phase and a resistive phase, and a control module for causing the thermal switch to switch between the conductive state and the resistive state. |
| US09028137B2 |
Device for thermal adaption
The invention relates to a device for thermal adaptation, comprising at least one surface element arranged to assume a determined thermal distribution, said surface element comprising a first heat conducting layer, a second heat conducting layer, said first and second heat conducting layers being mutually thermally isolated by means of an intermediate insulation layer, wherein at least one thermoelectric element is arranged to generate a predetermined temperature gradient to a portion of said first layer. The invention also relates to an object such as a craft. |
| US09028136B1 |
System and method for determining the blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge
A method for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge may include providing a radiometer with a sensor aperture, positioning a viewing aperture sheet between the sensor aperture and the electrical discharge, and providing the viewing aperture sheet with a viewing aperture therethrough, determining an area of the viewing aperture, determining a distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture, observing the electrical discharge with the sensor aperture through the viewing aperture to obtain radiometer data, and calculating the blackbody temperature based at least on the radiometer data, the area of the viewing aperture and the distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture. |
| US09028134B2 |
Waterproof push operation member for a time piece
The present invention is to provide a portable device, such as a wrist watch, which realizes, with a simple structure, improved waterproof property against water leak associated with a push-in operation. A wrist watch (portable device) includes an outer case (device outer housing), an operation member and a holding ring. The outer case includes a holding portion in which an annular bearing surface is formed. The operation member is made of a soft material having waterproof performance. The operation member includes an annular packing portion to be seated on the bearing surface and a push-in portion integrally connected to the bearing portion, to which the push-in operation is performed from the outside of the device outer housing. |
| US09028133B2 |
Tapered barrel twin shaft preconditioner
An improved dual-shaft preconditioner (10) of simplified design is provided giving increased moisturization and partial cooking of food or feed ingredients. The preconditioner (10) includes an elongated, tapered housing (12) presenting a pair of side-by-side, communicating housing sections (58, 60), with a corresponding pair of converging shafts (20, 22) within the sections (58, 60) and having a series of elongated, outwardly extending mixing elements (24, 26) secured to the shafts (20, 22). The preconditioner (10) is designed for use in a system including a downstream processing device, such as an extruder (146). |
| US09028131B2 |
Method and apparatus for high intensity ultrasonic treatment of baking materials
The present invention discloses a high intensity ultrasonic treatment method and apparatus that is used in conjunction with an existing commercial dough or batter mixer to enhance the rheological, aeration and textural properties of the dough or batter. This change in properties is a result of the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation induced in the dough or batter by treatment with high intensity ultrasonic waves. The present invention discloses a mixing bowl (20) of an existing mixer system that is preloaded with dough or batter, the bowl (20) is located at the center of an ultrasonic bath tank (101) filled with a working fluid. The effect of ultra-sonic waves with power levels above 1 kW can be observed over the entire or partial mixing period of the dough or batter. The ultra-sonic waves of the present invention are generated by a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators (104A, 104B) and piezoelectric transducers (1) mounted on a stainless steel tank (101). The electrical energy received in each transducer (1) will be converted into appropriate mechanical expansion and contractions in the piezoelectric ceramics of the transducer (1) thus leading to pressure waves being transmitted to the dough or batter to be mixed. The generation and transmission of high intensity ultrasonic waves to the dough or batter affects its rheological, aeration and textural properties. |
| US09028130B2 |
Seal ring
A seal ring is provided which allows the interior of a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder to be maintained at elevated temperature and elevated pressure, thus suppressing a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1. In a special seal ring 300 attached to a screw shaft 7 in the cylinder of the screw extruder so as to be rotatable integrally with the screw shaft 7, thus restraining a material to be treated from being fed from upstream to downstream in the cylinder, a lead groove 317 extending in an axial direction of the shaft 7 is formed in an outer circumferential surface 316 opposing with a predetermined gap to an inner circumferential surface 1a of the cylinder. The lead groove 317 serves to disturb the flow of the material to be treated passing between the outer circumferential surface 316 and the inner wall surface 1a of the cylinder 1 to complex the flow. This stabilizes feeding resistance to suppress a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1. |
| US09028128B2 |
Side-edge backlight module
The present invention provides a side-edge backlight module, which includes a backplane, a light guide plate arranged inside the backplane, a backlight source arranged inside the backplane, and a photo coupler arranged between the light guide plate and the backlight source, whereby light emitting from the backlight source is subjected to light mixing by the photo coupler and then enters the light guide plate so as to improve homogeneity of light illumination of the light guide plate at a location close to a backlight source. The side-edge backlight module arranges a photo coupler between a light incidence surface of a light guide plate and LED lights of a backlight source in order to make lights emitting from the backlight source incident to the light guide plate in a uniform manner thereby providing the light guide plate with homogeneous light illumination. |
| US09028127B2 |
Lighting module
A lighting module comprises a light guide plate including a predetermined pattern; a case covering both sides of the light guide plate; and a light source which is disposed in the case and is configured to emit light to the both sides of the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate is configured to emit the light from the light source through a top surface and a bottom surface of light guide plate, and wherein the lighting module is configured to emit first light upward from the top surface of the light guide plate, and second light downward from the bottom surface of the light guide plate. |
| US09028121B2 |
Electronic censer
An electronic censer includes a censer body, a driving device and an incense branch. The censer body defines a recess on a top end thereof. The driving device is received in the recess of the censer body. The incense branch is inserted in the censer body and extends from the recess to external environment of the censer body. The incense branch includes a frame and an LED light source located at an upper end of the frame. The LED light source is electrically connected with the driving device. The frame has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the frame is pivotally connected with the second portion of the frame, thereby making the second portion of the frame rotatable around the first portion of the frame. |
| US09028120B2 |
Illumination devices including multiple light emitting elements
A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting. |
| US09028118B2 |
Vehicular headlamp
A vehicular headlamp has a projection lens, a light source disposed behind a rear focal point of the projection lens, and a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward. The vehicular headlamp forms a forward light distribution pattern. The vehicular headlamp includes a plate-like shade having a front-end portion positioned in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens to form a cut-off line of the forward light distribution pattern. The shade extends rearward and obliquely downward from the front-end portion. An overhead sign reflective surface is provided on a lower surface of the shade. The overhead sign reflective surface reflects light from the reflector toward the projection lens to form a part of an overhead sign distribution pattern. A dark portion forming portion is formed on the overhead sign reflective surface. |
| US09028109B2 |
Light flux controlling member, light emitting device, surface light source device, and display apparatus
A light flux controlling member includes an emission surface, a first incidence surface that is an inner surface of a concave portion, a second incidence surface that is disposed outside an opening rim portion of the concave portion, and a rear surface. A plurality of annular grooves is formed in the second incidence surface. Each annular groove forms an intersection line with an adjacent annular groove. When a virtual plane that passes through the outer rim portion of the second incidence surface and is orthogonal to the central axis is assumed as a reference plane, the plurality of annular grooves is disposed so that the intersection line become close to the virtual plane with distance from the central axis. The shape of a cross section of the annular groove including the central axis is an arc of which the center of curvature is located outside the light flux controlling member. |
| US09028108B2 |
Collimating light injectors for edge-lit backlights
Illumination devices whose function are to inject light into backlights, particularly into backlights that incorporate a recycling cavity formed by a front (50) and back (52) reflector, are described. In some embodiments, the device includes a light source (59) disposed proximate the back reflector, and first (42) and second (44) reflecting structures. The first reflecting structure includes an inner reflective surface (41b) at least a portion of which is inclined to form a wedge with the back reflector. The wedge partially collimates and directs light from the light source generally away from the recycling cavity. The second reflecting structure receives light exiting the wedge and redirects such light into an injection beam directed into the recycling cavity. |
| US09028107B2 |
Lamp, reflector for a lamp and method for the production of the reflector
A lamp has an LED, a base, and a reflector. The base is rigidly connected to the LED and has a base contact surface. The reflector, which can be connected to the base, has a reflector contact surface, an entry opening, an exit opening, and a longitudinal direction (L) that runs from the exit opening to the entry opening. The reflector contact surface is arranged in the longitudinal direction (L) between the entry opening and the exit opening, and the base contact surface abuts the reflector contact surface. Thus, movement of the base and/or reflector towards each other is prevented when the reflector is connected to the base. The reflector is formed in such a way that a projection of the reflector contact surface in the longitudinal direction (L) of the reflector is free of undercuts. |
| US09028106B2 |
Light-emitting device, illuminating device, vehicle headlamp, and method for producing light-emitting device
A headlamp disclosed includes: a laser diode for emitting a laser beam; a light emitting section including a fluorescent material which emits light in response to excitation light emitted from the laser diode; a light-transmitting heat conducting member which is provided so as to face a laser beam irradiation surface of the light emitting section and receive heat of the light emitting section; and an adhesive layer filling a gap between the heat conducting member and the laser beam irradiation surface. This arrangement improves efficiency of the heat conducting member in absorbing the heat of the light emitting section, and consequently cools the light emitting section efficiently. |
| US09028102B2 |
Luminaire having inner flow path
A luminaire includes a base, a light-emitting unit, and a lamp cover. The base includes a first tube part, a second tube part having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first tube part, and a joint part connected between the first and second tube parts. An inner flow path is defined by at least the first tube part, the joint part, and the second tube part in a coaxial manner. The lamp cover is fixed on the base for covering the light-emitting unit. As such, air heated by the light-emitting unit flows out of the inner flow path to thereby allow cold air to be sucked into the inner flow path. |
| US09028101B2 |
Display light source
A display light source includes a light source, a color wheel, an optical module, and an actuator. The light source provides a light beam. The color wheel includes a first path segment and a second path segment. Each of the first path segment and the second path segment includes a reflective segment and at least one filtering segment. When the light beam impinges on the filtering segment of the first path segment, the light beam passes through the filtering segment of the first path segment and is filtered to form a first primary-color light beam. When the light beam impinges on the reflective segment of the first path segment, the light beam is reflected to the optical module. The optical module guides the reflected light beam to the filtering segment of the second path segment, such that the reflected light beam is filtered to form a second primary-color light beam. |
| US09028099B2 |
LED light emitting group
A LED light emitting group (1) apt to produce an outgoing light beam having its own optical axis (8) is equipped with a plurality of LEDs (18), distributed on a plate-shaped body (13) and having a fixed central plane portion (14) orthogonal to the optical axis (8) and a crown (13) of peripheral plane portions (16) tilted with respect to the central plane portion (14) and converging the one towards the other one and towards the central plane portion (14) and the optical axis (8); each one of said plane portions (14, 16) carrying a plurality of said LEDs (18). |
| US09028097B2 |
LED apparatus and method for accurate lens alignment
An LED apparatus of the type including (a) a mounting board having an LED-supporting surface with an LED device thereon and (b) a lens member over the LED device establishing a light path therebetween. The inventive LED apparatus includes a lens-aligning member having front and back surfaces. The lens member includes a lens portion and a flange thereabout, the flange being attached to the front surface of the lens-aligning member such that the lens portion substantially surrounds the protruding LED device. The lens-aligning member has a first mating feature which is positioned and arranged for mating engagement with a second mating feature of the mounting board, thereby accurately aligning the lens member over the LED device by accurately aligning the lens-alignment member with the mounting board. Other aspects of the invention is a method for assembly of an LED apparatus and a method for manufacturing custom high-efficiency LED lensing for LED-array modules. |
| US09028096B2 |
Angled street light fixture
The present disclosure relates generally to a modular angled light engine. In one embodiment, the modular angled light engine includes a center portion comprising an interlocking feature to connect to a second modular angled light engine and at least one housing coupled to the center portion. The at least one housing includes a heat sink coupled to a first side of the at least one housing, at least one light emitting diode (LED) coupled to an interior volume of the at least one housing and a lens covering the at least one LED and coupled to a second side of the at least one housing. |
| US09028094B2 |
Creating and licensing illumination
Systems and methods permit use of efficient solid state emitters for broad spectrum continuous spectrum lighting defined by illumination data. The illumination data, which can be sold as a commercial product, can be recorded or authored and include spectral, temporal, and spatial information. Intensities of individual emitters such as LEDs can be controlled through a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of drive currents. The combination of PWM and AM permits fine tuning of the spectrum of emissions and creation of free space optical data channels. |
| US09028090B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes LED chips, a translucent cover housing the LED chips, a motion sensor unit, a condensing lens, and a power unit. The motion sensor unit includes a light receiving element for light of a predetermined wavelength. The lens condenses light of the predetermined wavelength onto the light receiving element. The power unit controls the state of operation of the LED chips based on an output from the motion sensor unit. The motion sensor unit includes a light shielding member disposed to overlap the light receiving element in an optical axis direction of the condensing lens and also to surround the light receiving element as viewed in the optical axis direction. The light shielding member is made of a material having a lower light transmissivity than that of the condensing lens for a range of wavelengths including the predetermined wavelength. |
| US09028087B2 |
LED light fixture
An LED light fixture including a housing and an LED assembly secured with respect to the housing. The LED assembly includes a heat sink and an LED illuminator secured with respect to an LED-supporting region of the heat sink with heat-dissipating surfaces extending therefrom. The heat sink having front, rear and lateral sides and being open to ambient-fluid flow to and from the heat-dissipating surfaces along each of the sides. |
| US09028086B2 |
Light source for illumination apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a light source for an illumination apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. The light source includes a light emitting device; a power unit module supplying an electrical signal to the light emitting device; a support unit having the light emitting device thereon and discharging heat generated by the light emitting device to the outside; and a housing unit covering and protecting the light emitting device, the power unit module and the support unit. The light emitting device is disposed to have a height greater than that of a contact region between the power unit module and the housing unit with relation to a lower edge of the housing unit. |
| US09028085B2 |
Lighting and heating assembly for ceiling fan
A lighting assembly for a ceiling fan, the ceiling fan having an attachment interface having an electrical connection for powering an external assembly, the lighting assembly including a housing configured to be connected to and supported by the attachment interface of the ceiling fan, a plurality of lighting arms extending from the housing and provided with a socket to receive a light bulb, the socket being configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical connection of the ceiling fan, and an auxiliary connection provided at a side of the housing to provide power to an external device coupled to the housing. |
| US09028078B2 |
Lens apparatus and image pickup apparatus including the same
Lens apparatus includes adjacent concave and convex lens surfaces adjacent with an air layer therebetween. At least one of the lens surfaces includes an antireflection film including multiple subwavelength structures at an average pitch of 400 nm or smaller. The surface satisfies: 0.7 |
| US09028073B2 |
Projection apparatus
A projection apparatus includes an optical engine base, a light source, a light valve, a lens module, and a fan. The light source is disposed at the optical engine base for emitting an illumination beam. The light valve is disposed at the optical engine base for converting the illumination beam into an image beam. The lens module is disposed at the optical engine base and includes a lens barrel and a lens assembly disposed in the lens barrel for converting the image beam into a projection beam. The fan is disposed at the optical engine base, and adjacent to the lens module. The fan is used for providing an air flow to cool the lens module. |
| US09028071B2 |
Light emitting element, light source device, and projection display device
Light source layer (4) includes substrate (10) and a pair of layers, namely, hole-transport layer (11) and electron-transport layer (13), formed on substrate (10). Directional control layer (5) includes plasmon excitation layer (15) stacked on a side of light source layer (4), which is opposite to the side of substrate (10) of light source layer (4), and which has a plasma frequency higher than a frequency of light output from light source layer (4), and wave vector conversion layer (17) stacked on plasmon excitation layer (15), which converts light incident from plasmon excitation layer (15) into light having a predetermined exit angle to output the light. Plasmon excitation layer (15) is sandwiched between low dielectric constant layer (14) and high dielectric constant layer (16). |
| US09028070B2 |
Light emitting element having structural bodies arrayed at a first pitch along a first direction and arrayed at a second pitch different from said first pitch along a second direction and projection display device provided with same
Provided is a light-emitting element having high luminance and high directivity and emitting light in a controlled polarization state. The light-emitting element comprises substrate 3 and light emitting part 10 disposed on substrate 3 for emitting light in which light intensity of a polarization component in first direction x parallel to substrate 3 is higher than light intensities of polarization components in other directions. Light emitting part 10 includes active layer 12 for generating light and a plurality of structural bodies 14a disposed on a light-emitting side of light emitting part 10 with respect to active layer 12 and arrayed two-dimensionally along a surface substantially parallel to active layer 12. Each of structural bodies 14a has width w1 along first direction x and width w2 along second direction y perpendicular to first direction x, width w1 along first direction x and width w2 along second direction y being different from each other in a cross section parallel to active layer 12. Structural bodies 14a are arrayed periodically at first pitch p1 along first direction x and arrayed periodically at second pitch p2, which is different from first pitch p1, along second direction y. |
| US09028067B1 |
Relocated virtual retinal image method and system
A diseased retina has a blind spot where the center of the retina, called the fovea, exists. A compensation system could comprise first measuring a patient's healthy regions of the retina called PRL. A video camera could be mounted on a table, such as for reading applications, but preferably mounted on an eyeglass frame, capture an area of regard (AR). This AR is sent to a computer which directs a projector (such as a MEMS projector) to direct the AR using his healthy area of his retina. Improvements include adding an eyeball location sensor to keep the AR focused on a moving PRL. Another improvement is dithering the AR image in millimeter sized oscillations on the moving PRL. Reading enhancement software such as Spritz® can be integrated into the computer to display the enhanced text onto the PRL. |
| US09028066B2 |
Ophthalmic apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An ophthalmic apparatus includes a control unit configured to, when a manipulated value detected by a manipulated value detection unit is a first manipulated value within a predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a fine motion operation of moving the moving unit at a low speed, and when the manipulated value is a second manipulated value outside the predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a coarse motion operation of moving the moving unit at a speed higher than that in the fine motion operation. |
| US09028062B2 |
Electronic eyeglass frame
The present invention generally relates to integrating electronic components into an electro-active frame for driving electro-active focusing lenses. This is accomplished in a cosmetically pleasing manner that allows a platform of frame systems to be built from a single electronic module. Specifically, the present invention discloses controlling an electro-active lens in a deliberate, hands free manner that gives the user control of the electro-active lens. |
| US09028061B2 |
Adjustable nose pad structure
An adjustable nose pad structure comprises a main body and two adjustable members. The main body includes two adjustable portions having portions defining an open slot and a groove. The open slot has two opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of first recesses and second recesses. Each adjustable member is disposed in each adjustable portion. Each adjustable portion includes a pivotable portion and a connecting body. The connecting body has two opposite sidewalls respectively having a first convex protrusion and a second convex protrusion. One first convex protrusion is removably engaged to one of the first recesses, and one second convex protrusion is removably engaged to one of the second recesses. Thus, users can adjust the nose pads via adjusting the adjustable member until the nose pads are in position to properly fit the shape of user's nose. |
| US09028060B2 |
Method and device for improving aiming ability
A shooter aims his equipment, such as a gun or bow, in the normal fashion with the optical axis of the aiming eye aligned with the gun's front and rear sights towards a target. A thin optical filter manufactured with alternating transparent and solid spaces is applied to the shooter's protective glasses on the lens of the non-aiming eye. The shooter proceeds to aim with both eyes open having only the non-aiming eye's vision filtered. The aiming eye's perceived dominance is increased by reducing the visual signal sent to the brain from the non-aiming eye. |
| US09028054B2 |
Fluid cartridge
An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a bottom face and a front face; an ink interface on the front face of the ink cartridge for connection to a cartridge receiving structure; a guide interface in the bottom face for guiding the cartridge along a straight line during insertion into the cartridge receiving structure for connecting the ink interface; a latch track disposed in the bottom face of the ink cartridge to guide a latch of the cartridge receiving structure; a latch stop disposed in the latch track for engaging the latch, where the latch track comprises a locking track and an unlocking track to accommodate movement of the latch with respect to the latch stop, the locking track being at least partly separate from the unlocking track; and a latch guide for redirecting the latch towards the locking track, rather than the unlocking track. |
| US09028048B2 |
Printhead assembly incorporating ink distribution assembly
A printhead assembly includes an ink distribution assembly including an ink distribution molding, the ink distribution molding including a plurality of first ducts; at least one printhead integrated circuit in fluid communication with the ink distribution assembly; and a rotary platen having at least three surface, each surface for providing one of a platen surface, capping portion, and a blotting portion. The ink distribution assembly further includes a plurality of second ducts acutely angled with respect to the plurality of first ducts, a plurality of transfer ports facilitating fluid communication between the plurality of first ducts and the plurality of second ducts, and a plurality of ink inlet ports facilitating fluid communication between an ink cassette and the plurality of first ducts. |
| US09028045B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including a recording head to form an image on a recording medium, a carriage mounting the recording head and movable in a main scanning direction, a guide member extending in the main scanning direction to movably hold and guide the carriage, a stay member extending in the main scanning direction to hold the guide member, a frame member attached to the stay member to support the stay member, and an adjustment unit provided between and attached to a first end of the stay member and to the frame member to adjust an angle of the stay member with respect to the recording medium. |
| US09028041B2 |
Electronic device and liquid ejection apparatus
An electronic device includes: a device body; a power supply circuitry which supplies electric power to the device body; and a real-time clock which measures a current time. The power supply circuitry includes: a transformer which converts electric power input to a primary side of the transformer and outputs the converted power to a secondary side of the transformer; a switching element disposed on the primary side to perform switching of a current to be supplied to the primary winding; and a switching controller disposed on the primary side. The real-time clock is disposed on the primary side to receive electric power. The device body includes: a main controller disposed on the secondary side to control the electronic device that receives electric power on the secondary side; and a circuit which couples the main controller and the real-time clock to allow communication therebetween in an electrically insulated state. |
| US09028040B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid ejection method
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head and ejection openings; a tank; an air communication device; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; an adjusting device; and a controller, wherein the controller performs a liquid circulation control by controlling: the adjusting device such that a channel resistance value of the return channel is less than a predetermined maximum value; and the supply device to supply the liquid into the inside channel, wherein, when the liquid is circulated by the liquid circulation control, the controller starts a liquid discharge control for discharging the liquid by making the channel resistance value larger than that in the liquid circulation control, and wherein the controller controls the air communication device such that an inside of the tank is interrupted from the ambient air in at least a part of a period of the liquid circulation control. |
| US09028038B2 |
Liquid discharge head
A liquid discharge head has a substrate having an inorganic material layer, an organic material layer, and an intermediate layer contacting the inorganic material layer and the organic material layer between the inorganic material layer and the organic material layer, in which the intermediate layer contains a resin having three or more cyclohexene oxide skeletons in the molecules, a photocationic polymerization initiator, a thermal cationic polymerization initiator, and an onium salt containing a cation portion structure represented by (d1) and an anion portion structure represented by (d2). |
| US09028036B1 |
Edge-justified printing with a crowned roller
Systems and methods are provided for aligning an edge of a web of continuous-forms print media in a printer using a crowned roller. The system comprises an edge-justified printer, a crowned roller, and an adjustment mechanism. The edge-justified printer is configured to print to a continuous-forms web of print media that uses a margin as a target alignment point for an edge of the web. The crowned roller includes an apex that is a point where the diameter of the crowned roller is largest. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a lateral position of the apex to align the edge of the web with the margin. |
| US09028034B2 |
Printer with mechanism for controlling recording medium tension
A printer has a mechanism to counter change in the tension of the recording medium to convey the recording medium with more precision. Such printer has a media conveyance mechanism that conveys a recording medium; a printhead that prints on the medium; a media supply mechanism that supplies the medium to the media conveyance mechanism; a movable member that can move to compensate and thus counter internal tension changes in the recording medium resulting from operation of the media conveyance and supply mechanisms; a detector that detects the movement or position of the movable member; and a control unit that controls the media supply operation based on output from the detector so that the movable member is urged back to or maintained in a home position. |
| US09028032B2 |
Printing apparatus and registration adjustment method
An embodiment of this invention solves a problem about a precision drop of registration adjustment of a range detection method due to variations of a registration state depending on a position associated with a carriage scanning direction. In that embodiment, reference and adjustment patterns are formed to be juxtaposed in a nozzle array direction to detect a position shift between patterns in the main scanning direction. In this case, coarse registration adjustment is executed by the range detection method, and its adjustment result is applied to a printing apparatus. After that, fine registration adjustment is executed by a density method, and results of the two adjustment methods are finally reflected. |
| US09028031B2 |
Peak energy reduction printhead system
A printhead system to reduce peak energy usage may include a printhead including a plurality of primitives including nozzles. A printhead control module may control the printhead to increase printed pixel resolution and to reduce peak pixel fill density for print media. The printhead control module may further control the printhead such that all the nozzles with a same address generally disposed in a column do not fire at the same time. |
| US09028029B2 |
Inkjet printing method
A printing method is performed on a plurality of inkjet print heads to which humidified air is supplied to retain the humidity in the print heads. Ink colors for the plurality of heads are arranged in a sequence corresponding to ink characteristics. The plurality of print heads is divided into groups, with one of the groups being subjected to preliminary ejection on a sheet. The other print head group not subjected to preliminary ejection is located in a more upstream area with respect to a conveyance direction of the sheet. |
| US09028026B2 |
Apparatus for printing on 3-dimensional surface using electrohydrodynamic force
Provided herein is an apparatus for printing on a 3-dimensional surface using electrohydrodynamic force, the apparatus having a stage where a print object is placed; a shape obtainer storing surface information of the print object; a nozzle receiving ink and discharging the received ink to a surface side of the print object; a power supply supplying power to the nozzle; and a controller receiving the surface information of the print object from the shape obtainer and controlling a movement of the nozzle or the stage. Thus, an apparatus for printing on a 3-dimensional surface using electrohydrodynamic force is provided, which is capable of performing a precision printing process on a 3-dimensional surface. |
| US09028025B2 |
Ink jet head and ink jet printing apparatus with driving channels and dummy channels
An ink jet head includes a plurality of nozzles and a piezoelectric member provided with driving channels for storing ink. Each of the driving channels communicates a respective one of the nozzles. Dummy channels are alternately arranged with the driving channels. First side walls between the driving and dummy channels include a first driving channel side surface and a first dummy side surface. Second side walls between the driving channels and the dummy channels include a second driving channel side surface and a second dummy channel side surface. When a voltage is applied to electrodes on the first dummy channel side surfaces, the corresponding first side wall is deformed. When a voltage is applied to electrodes on the second dummy channel side surfaces, the second side wall is deformed. |
| US09028024B2 |
Binary continuous inkjet printer with a decreased printhead cleaning frequency
The invention relates to a new control method for controlling the printing of a binary continuous inkjet printer provided with a printhead (20) with a set of deflection electrodes (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) shared by all of the nozzles of the head, at least one pair of electrodes (8, 9) supplied in phase opposition relative to each other, and actuators (6) to which pulses are sent to form a distance Lbr from the plane of the nozzles (11), from the break of a jet discharged by a nozzle (3) in communication with a stimulation chamber (2) to which said actuator is mechanically coupled, drops not able to be electrically charged or jet segment subjected to the electrostatic influence of the deflection electrodes.According to the invention, the pulses are controlled so as to minimize the total electrical charge taken on by the ink jet segments inside a volume of influence of the electrodes. |
| US09028022B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus, nanoimprint system, and liquid ejection method
According an aspect of the present invention, when causing the liquid ejection head to perform a feeding operation along a first direction, the substrate is retracted outside the projected feeding region of the liquid ejection head and the supporting member thereof prior to starting the feeding operation of the liquid ejection head, preventing dusts and other foreign matters, generated as a result of the feeding operation of the liquid ejection head and the supporting member, from being deposited on a surface of the substrate onto which the liquid is to be deposited. |
| US09028019B2 |
Fastening device for mounting a front cover on a drawer
A fastening device for releasably mounting a front cover on a drawer, in particular on a side wall of the drawer, includes a furniture fitting that is pre-assembled on the front cover; a catching mechanism associated with the drawer and including a movable catching element accommodating the furniture fitting when the furniture fitting is inserted; and a pulling mechanism pulling the furniture fitting towards the drawer under the effect of a spring. A positioning contour and a movable positioning member are provided to move the catching element, and the positioning member and the positioning contour at least temporarily rest against each other under the effect of a spring. |
| US09028017B2 |
Pressure mounted drawer apparatus
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an expandable or adjustable snap-in cam or other friction device having a mechanically lockable drawer, shelf or divider in a cabinet, pantry, kitchen cupboard mount includes no screws or other permanent mounting. |
| US09028016B2 |
Portable folding closet
A collapsible closet assembly has a pair of generally vertical rigid walls, and a plurality of generally flexible panels extending between the pair of rigid walls. A plurality of supports pivotally connect between the pair of vertical rigid walls and attach to the plurality of generally flexible panels, for movement of the plurality of supports, the pair of vertical walls, and the plurality of generally flexible panels between a collapsed position for storage and an expanded position for operation. |
| US09028013B2 |
Braking device and vehicle
Provided is a driving device that applies a braking force to a first tire and a second tire rotatably arranged in a vehicle body. The driving device includes: a master cylinder configured to include a first liquid pressure chamber and a second liquid pressure chamber that supply a liquid pressure; a piston configured to apply an external force to the first liquid pressure chamber and the second liquid pressure chamber; a first hydraulic braking unit configured to apply a braking force to the first tire based on the liquid pressure supplied from the first liquid pressure chamber; and a second hydraulic braking unit configured to apply a braking force to the second tire based on the liquid pressure supplied from the second liquid pressure chamber. |
| US09028012B2 |
Compact combined cylinder comprising a manual release device
A brake cylinder for pneumatic vehicle brakes, especially for commercial vehicles, includes in addition to a pneumatic locking mechanism, a manual release mechanism for manually releasing the spring brake section, and a device designed to visually recognize the manual release condition of the spring brake section outside of the housing. |
| US09028011B2 |
Method for operating a parking brake module in the event of defects and parking brake module suitable for performing the method
A method is provided for operating a parking brake module that is at least partially integrated into a compressed air generation system in the event of defects, having a control unit, solenoid valves, and a relay valve for aerating and deaerating at least one spring-loaded brake cylinder. A pressure in the parking brake module which is elevated compared to a normal pressure is determined. A constant compressed air delivery is stopped. A reduced switch-off pressure of the compressed air generation system is set. The pressure level in the parking brake module is lowered to the reduced switch-off pressure through repeated activation of the relay valve. |
| US09028009B2 |
Pick tool and method for making same
A pick tool comprising an insert and a steel holder for the insert, the insert comprising a superhard tip joined to a cemented carbide support body having an insertion shank; the steel holder comprising a shaft for connection to a tool carrier and provided with a bore configured for receiving the insertion shank; the volume of the cemented carbide support body being at least 6 cm3. |
| US09028008B1 |
Cutting tool assembly including retainer sleeve with compression band
A cutting tool assembly for mounting in a bore of a holder includes a cutting tool having a head, a shank and a collar therebetween having an axially rearward surface that defines an annular channel adjacent an axially forward end of the shank. The assembly also includes a retainer sleeve substantially surrounding the shank and defining a slot that extends from an axial forward end to an axial rearward end of the retainer sleeve. The retainer sleeve is compressible between an expanded state and a compressed state. The assembly further includes a compression band removably attached to the retainer sleeve. The compression band in a first position is attached to the retainer sleeve and compresses the retainer sleeve to the compressed state and in a second position is not attached to the retainer sleeve and the retainer sleeve is in the expanded state. |
| US09028005B2 |
Stadium seat memorabilia support base
A method for enhancing sales of stadium seat memorabilia by utilizing a stabilizing base, with a large surface area in the shape of sports memorabilia, such as baseball bats and/or sports figures, with or without brackets, to mount and stabilize a stadium seat for use outside of the stadium, such as at home or in a commercial setting. |
| US09028004B2 |
Vehicle seat
The present invention provides a vehicle seat which includes a seat frame, a seat cushion receiving member stretched across the seat frame, and a seat cushion placed on the seat cushion receiving member. In the vehicle seat, the seat cushion has such dimensions as to cover the seat frame as viewed in plan, and a lower surface of the seat cushion has a raised portion in a region covering the seat frame, and the raised portion is raised so as not to contact the seat frame. |
| US09028003B2 |
Fully upholstered ready-to-assemble chaise lounge and sofa
A stylish ready-to-assemble chaise lounge and sofa which may be easily and quickly assembled by a consumer, is provided. The invention is a kit from which either a stylish chaise lounge or a sofa may be easily assembled by a consumer using a single Allen wrench. The kits, both chaise and sofa, comprise a seat base, a long side seatback and a short side seatback, feet, fasteners and cushions. With regard to the chaise, the long and short side chaise seatbacks have rectangular lower portions with upper portions featuring a flowing curved “waterfall” seating surface which improves the comfort of a user leaning back against the seatback. |
| US09028001B2 |
Chair arm assembly
A chair assembly includes a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member, a second linkage member, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member each pivotably coupled to one another such that the four-bar linkage assembly includes an upper end that is adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and an arm rest assembly adapted to support the arm of a seated user thereon and supported the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, wherein a lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement, such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is moveable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position. |
| US09028000B2 |
Seat headrest
An adjustable headrest that provides both support and comfort to the user and one that can be used in connection with various types of passenger vehicles. The adjustable headrest includes novel slide assemblies that permit multiple height adjustments of the headrest. More particularly, the headrest of the invention can be moved from a first lower position to a second intermediate position and finally to an uppermost position. |
| US09027997B2 |
Chair assembly
A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure movably coupled to the base structure, an upwardly-extending back support structure movably coupled to the base structure, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between an upright and reclined positions, wherein the back support structure is operably coupled to the seat support structure, a flexible shell structure defining a forwardly-facing surface forming a lumbar support, wherein the flexible shell is movably coupled to the seat support structure, and a resilient member generating a variable compressive force acting on the flexible shell structure in a manner that tends to cause a curvature of the back support structure to increase, and wherein the compressive force decreases as the back support structure moves from the upright position to the reclined position. |
| US09027996B2 |
Safety seat
A safety seat includes a seat and a height adjusting component that is separably disposed under the seat, and that includes opposite first and second portions, heights of which are different. The safety seat is usable in one of a first height mode and a second height mode. In the first height mode, the first portion is disposed over the second portion, and in the second height mode, the first portion is disposed under the second portion. |
| US09027993B2 |
Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat comprises: a vehicle body side member; a seat cushion having left and right side frames; left and right front links provided respectively between front end sides of the left and right side frames and the vehicle body side member, the left and right front links configure a portion of a lifter mechanism that moves the seat cushion, and one end side of the respective left and right front links is coupled to the vehicle body side member so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat left-right direction; and a coupling member coupling together front end sides of the left and right side frames along the seat left-right direction, that is rotatable with respect to the left and right side frames about an axis along the seat left-right direction, and that is joined to other end side of the respective left and right front links. |
| US09027991B2 |
Racing bucket seat and cooling system for racing car with the same
A racing bucket seat and a cooling system for racing cars is capable of effectively suppressing the rise of a driver's body temperature, meeting safety regulations. The racing bucket seat includes a plurality of shell through holes formed in a seat shell, an outer shell fixed on the seat shell to cover the shell through holes from a rear side of the seat shell and formed with a layer-like flow passage between the outer shell and a rear surface of the seat shell, and an air intake port introducing the air into the flow passage. |
| US09027988B2 |
Striker device for a motor vehicle door lock and a motor vehicle equipped with such striker device
A striker device for a motor vehicle door lock having a striker and an element made of a plastic material and equipped with a plate, which is suitable for being placed against a wall of the motor vehicle and is coupled to the striker in fixed relative position; the element has a plurality of tongues, which protrude from the plate in the opposite direction to the striker and are arranged in positions so as to engage, in use, the edges of two apertures in the wall of the motor vehicle, to keep the plate in a fixed reference position during a first fitting step; the tongues are breakable to enable changing the position of the striker device with respect to the wall of the motor vehicle in a possible second fitting step. |
| US09027984B2 |
Truck bed door with optional extension and accessories
A pickup truck having an access door in a side panel of the truck bed is provided. The access door pivots between a closed positioned and an open position. The access door defines an opening in the side wall, the opening being created by the access door being moved from the closed position to the open position. The pickup truck has a cap member, the cap member releasably coupling to the side walls of the pickup bed and having a gap in one side portion thereof, the gap being positioned above the opening, such that the gap and the opening communicate with one another. The pickup truck has an extension body that releasably couples to the access door and pivots with the access door. The extension body is configured to functionally engage the gap in the cap member under the condition that the access door is in the closed position. |
| US09027983B2 |
Aerodynamic system and adjustable fairings
Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger. |
| US09027982B2 |
Vehicle door structure
A vehicle door structure that can improve an effect of insulating sounds that penetrate from a vehicle exterior into a vehicle cabin. A front side door to which a vehicle door structure is applied has, at a door main body that supports a door glass such that the door glass can be raised and lowered, a weatherstrip having a wall in which an opening is formed at a position facing the door glass, and a sealing lip that is disposed so as to project-out from the wall and slidingly contact the door glass. Further, a wall body that, together with the wall, forms a closed space that communicates with the opening is provided at a side of the wall opposite the door glass. |
| US09027972B2 |
Retaining device for vehicle door
A vehicle door locking apparatus is equipped with a movable wedge, a fixed wedge, and an elastic member. The movable wedge is movable in the open/close direction of the vehicle door towards the vehicle body opening. The elastic member impels the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge. A slanted surface on the movable wedge and a slanted surface on the fixed wedge are configured to come into contact when the door is closed. The movable wedge is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle body opening side along with the base plate of a door lock striker that is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle body opening side. The fixed wedge is immovably assembled on the mounting section of the end surface on the vehicle door side, which is involved in a door lock assembly that is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle door side. |
| US09027971B2 |
Over travel hood latch
A hood latch having an extra-long fishmouth for enabling a vehicle hood to deflect downwardly upon impact, such as when hit by a pedestrian in a frontal crash. To prevent this deflection when the hood is slammed shut in ordinary use, a stop lever is pivotally mounted to the latch housing. The stop lever features first and second arms defining a slot therein. One arm has a proboscis thereon and is biased to align the slot with the fishmouth, with the proboscis jutting into the fishmouth. The proboscis receives an impact from the striker and rotates the stop lever to a blocking position wherein the non-proboscis arm intercepts the striker and prevents it from reaching the bottom end of the fishmouth. In the closed position the ratchet retains the striker at an intermediate depth in the fishmouth, enabling the striker to travel toward the bottom end thereof. |
| US09027970B2 |
Connection apparatus for fluid pressure devices
In relation to fluid pressure devices, a connection apparatus, by which a filter, a regulator and a lubricator that constitute a fluid pressure unit are mutually connected, is equipped with a base member having a hole therein, a pair of first and second fastening members mounted respectively on one side surface and another side surface of the base member, and first and second holders in which the first and second fastening members are retained. Additionally, the first and second holders engage respectively with engagement projections of the filter, the regulator and the lubricator, and first and second nuts are screw-engaged with the first and second fastening members, whereby the fluid pressure devices are connected together through the first and second holders. |
| US09027964B2 |
Height adjuster for a fastening fitting of a safety belt system
A height adjuster (1) for a bracket of a safety belt for a motor vehicle includes a profiled rail (2) a base (22) and side walls (11, 12), wherein in at least one side wall (11, 12) a latching contour (14, 15) is provided, a sliding member (16) which can be displaced along the profiled rail (2) and includes a latching means for latching the sliding member (16) in the latching contour (14, 15), and a control element (3) for releasing the latching means. At least one recess (21) is provided at a side edge of the sliding member (16) and the latching means is formed by at least one latching element (4, 5) located in the recess (21). |
| US09027963B2 |
Tension member for airbag, and airbag device
A tension member for an airbag, and an airbag device are provided in each of which the tensile force is controlled continuously with a simple configuration. An airbag device includes an airbag that is normally folded and is inflated and deployed in a case of an emergency, an inflator for supplying gas into the airbag, a retainer for retaining the airbag and the inflator, and a tension member that controls a shape or a function of the airbag by using tension. The tension member for an airbag includes two end portions connected to respective portions of the airbag that are movable relative to each other when the airbag is inflated and deployed, a widened portion provided between the two end portions, and a breaking section provided in the widened portion in such a manner as to extend in a direction of widening of the widened portion and configured to break depending on a magnitude of tension applied between the two end portions. |
| US09027956B2 |
Airbag device
An object is to prevent an airbag from bursting out toward an occupant and to inflate and deploy the airbag in a stable manner. An inner bag (30A) inflates with gas supplied from an inflator (3). An outer bag (20) inflates with the gas supplied through a flow port (31) in the inner bag (30A). A connecting member (7) is disposed in the inner bag (30A) and connects an inner surface of the inner bag (30A) and a front surface of the outer bag (20). As the outer bag (20) inflates, the connecting member (7) is drawn out of the inflated inner bag (30A), moving the front surface of the outer bag (20) in the occupant direction. |
| US09027955B2 |
Cover member of airbag device
First support portions 71 and 72 positioned on a predetermined straight line L2 approximately perpendicular to a broken line of a hinge portion is set in a support portion 70 that supports a back plate 27 with respect to a back face side of a door portion 36. Second and third support portions 73 and 74 positioned in line symmetry with respect to the straight line L2, are set in the support portion 70. It is possible to receive the centrifugal force, which is applied to the back plate 27 due to the expansion of the door portion 36, with good balance by the first to third support portions 71, 72, 73, and 74. An emblem 24 can be reliably fixed to the door portion 36 with preventing a fixing pin 31 from being excessively locked into a through hole 33 more than necessary. |
| US09027954B2 |
Airbag device
An airbag device (1), having an airbag (10), is installed in a side wall (91) inside a vehicle cabin. The airbag (10) includes an inflatable section (30) configured to be inflated with gas and is disposed in an upper portion of the side wall (91). An inflator (2) supplies gas to the inflatable section (30), inflating and deploying the airbag (10) downward. A connecting member (50) connects the airbag (10) and the vehicle body (99) and is pulled between the vehicle body (99) and the airbag (10) that is being inflated and deployed. When the airbag (10) is inflated and deployed, a support portion (51) of the connecting member (50) supports the inflatable section (30) from the side wall (91) side of the airbag and pushes it toward the inner side of the vehicle cabin. |
| US09027945B2 |
Axle bracket for a motor vehicle
An axle bracket for a front axle or rear axle of a motor vehicle includes two side members and at least one cross member interconnecting the side members and having at least one attachment point for attachment of a drive component, wherein during travel an operating force can be introduced from the drive component via the attachment point to the cross member. The cross member is constructed as a hollow profile of downwardly open U-shaped configuration to define a hollow space bounded by an upper top wall and two sidewalls depending downwards from the top wall. The cross member has a bearing site configured for securement of a stiffening element such that the stiffening element is arranged, at least in part, in the hollow space of the cross member, for increasing a strength of the cross member. |
| US09027944B2 |
Folding scooter
A folding scooter has an unfolded position, suitable for riding the scooter, and a folded position, suitable for storing the scooter. The folding scooter includes a folding mechanism that has a spring-loaded pin. |
| US09027935B2 |
Gasket with a compression limiter
A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal. |
| US09027934B2 |
Sealing arrangement for sealing a piston rod of a reciprocating compressor
Due to increasingly strict requirements and regulations, it is becoming more and more important for piston compressors to reduce the amount of leakage of operating medium through the seal of the piston rod. Conventional seals comprising packing rings and/or packing ring combinations always have a certain amount of leakage, both during operation and when at standstill, which is why they are not usable for certain applications, or the complexity involved in such a seal increases considerably. A further problem involving the seals of piston rods relates to transverse movements by piston rods during which the sealing action of the seal must be maintained. Proposed is, therefore, a sealing arrangement according to the principle of a sealing medium barrier providing that the sealing elements 8, 9 are arranged in radial direction at a distance relative to the radial end of the recess 10 that receives the sealing elements 8, 9. |
| US09027929B2 |
Fluidic processor and method of use
A fluidic processor includes a first sealing member having a first sealing face, a first compressive face and at least one first sealing member fluid conduit; a second sealing member having a second sealing face, a second compressive face and at least one second sealing member fluid conduit; the second sealing face of the second sealing member being sealingly and slidingly engaged in a substantially fluid tight manner with the first sealing face of the first sealing member; and at least one actuator mechanically engaging at least one of the first sealing member and the second sealing member, or an XY stage, or mechanism that provides motion in two axes on one sealing member only. |
| US09027927B2 |
Gaming machine with reels
Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming machines having mechanical reels. The machine is adapted so that the reels to some extent protrude from the front face of the machine to enhance the user's awareness that the reels are genuine and, optionally, the reels may have side walls having matching indicia to the symbols on the periphery of the reels. The reels may also be observed from front and rear sides of the machine or alternatively, rotated about an upright axis to enable a player to observe front and rear outcomes from one point. |
| US09027925B2 |
Methods for feeding media sheets having increased throughput
Methods for picking a following sheet of media before the prior sheet of media has been detected exiting a media input tray in an imaging apparatus to increase media throughput. The methods may further include processes for shifting an image area to a shingled sheet of media without having to stop the imaging process. |
| US09027922B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing a unique planar stacking surface for set compiling in image forming devices
A system and method are provided improving stack integrity for a set of image receiving media substrates at an output of a compiler in an image forming device by supplementing a compiler shelf with a pair of augers having a unique planar lead-in for a top surface of the augers. The vertical compiler components reduce a “stepped” configuration of conventional compiler systems to keep a bottom sheet substantially “flat” thereby reducing a tendency for the bottom sheet to disadvantageously shift during in-set alignment processing. The large flat surface at the top of the augers effectively extends the plane of the lead edge shelf. A larger contact area with the sheets/sets of image receiving media substrates, along with the flatter shape of the sets, results in a more stable stack with a lesser tendency of individual sheets to migrate away from a registration edge. |
| US09027920B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus, sheet feeding apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus has a rotating portion provided in an operation member to rotate around a first rotation fulcrum, an elastic portion provided in the operation member to be elastically deformed by the rotating portion being rotated, and a disengaging portion that rotates an engaging portion between an engagement position and a disengagement position by the elastic portion being elastically deformed. |
| US09027917B2 |
Machine and method for printing products and making cut-outs at the edges of the sheets
A puncher cylinder includes a puncher knife, the cylinder being arranged for cooperation with a paper web such that the cylinder when in use can be rolled longitudinally along and in contact with the paper web, punching holes in the paper web by way of the puncher knife. The holes are punched a longitudinal distance from each other essentially corresponding to the circumference of the cylinder. A system is further disclosed including the punching cylinder, as is a method utilizing the punching cylinder, and a newspaper partly produced by way of the punching cylinder. |
| US09027916B2 |
Multi-functional vice base
A multi-functional vice base including a main body and a plate is provided. The main body includes a bottom surface, side surfaces and fixing portions. At least two side surfaces form a groove therebetween. Each fixing portion is disposed between the groove and the bottom surface. A first fixing member goes through a through hole of one of the fixing portions and is fixed on a working machine bench. The plate is detachably disposed at one of the side surfaces. Whereby the vice base can be mounted on various sized horizontal machining centers. Besides, plates with different size are allowed to be mounted on the main body for clamping work pieces whose sizes are different. |
| US09027910B2 |
Fuel metering diaphragm with backing plate
In at least some implementations, a carburetor having a fuel metering system including a diaphragm assembly that moves in response to pressure changes in a metering chamber to actuate a metering valve may include a flexible diaphragm adapted to carried by a body of the carburetor at a periphery to define part of the metering chamber. The portion of the diaphragm that defines part of the metering chamber defines a chamber projected area of the diaphragm. A backing plate is attached to the flexible diaphragm and arranged to be located outside the metering chamber. The backing plate having an outer perimeter defining a plate projected area, wherein an area ratio of the plate projected area to the chamber projected area is greater than about 0.1. |
| US09027908B1 |
Field-installable pulling eye
A field-installable pulling eye and a method for providing and using the same are disclosed. The pulling eye comprises a bolt, a sleeve, and a collet. The sleeve has a hollow interior defining a cavity configured to receive the collet through an open end, and an aperture passing from the exterior of the sleeve to the cavity at the opposite end. The bolt has a head portion and a threaded shaft configured to pass through the aperture and engage a complementary threaded orifice at one end of the collet. The collet has two or more jaws extending from the opposite end that are configured to exert a compression force the terminal end of a conductor inserted between the jaws as the collet is drawn into the cavity of the sleeve by tightening the bolt. |
| US09027904B2 |
Direct acting solenoid actuator
A direct acting solenoid actuator includes an armature and associated push pin that are suspended from certain fixed solenoid components, such as a pole piece and/or flux sleeve, by a fully floating cage of rolling elements. The fixed solenoid component may comprise a pole piece and/or a flux sleeve. The pole piece may include stops to limit movement of the cage of rolling elements in the axial direction. |
| US09027903B2 |
Power-efficient actuator assemblies and methods of manufacture
Power-efficient actuator apparatus and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator assembly utilizes a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament driven by an electronic power source to induce movement in the underlying assembly to actuate a load (e.g., water valve). In addition, a circuit board is included which allows the actuator assembly to be readily incorporated or retrofit into a wide range of systems such that the signal characteristics of the supply line can, among other applications, be conditioned in order to protect the SMA filament. Furthermore, the circuit board can also readily be adapted for use with “green” power sources such as photovoltaic systems and the like. Methods for manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned actuator assembly are also disclosed. |
| US09027898B1 |
Shoring apparatus with roller bearing
The present general inventive concept teaches a shoring apparatus with roller bearing to facilitate ease of use and inhibit undue wear on the apparatus. The apparatus is expandable and retractable and is releasably secured via a tightening assembly. In some embodiments, the tightening assembly includes a nut, at least one flat washer, a roller bearing, at least two split rings, and a rotator. The tightening assembly—featuring the roller bearing—serves to decrease friction, increase safety, and enhance both ease of positioning and ease of stabilization with respect to the shoring apparatus. |
| US09027897B2 |
Standoff connector for use, for example, as a post base
A standoff connector forming, for example, a standoff post base, includes a base member having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is configured to include an extending first projection, and the second edge is configured to include an extending second projection. The standoff connector includes a first stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the first edge by inserting the first projection into and through an aperture formed in the first stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the first projection. The standoff connector further includes a second stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the second edge by inserting the second projection into and through an aperture formed in the second stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the second projection. |
| US09027896B2 |
Support bracket
A support bracket includes a housing, a driving member, a first linking member, a gear mechanism, a first engaging member, a second linking member and a second engaging member. The housing has a guiding rail and a through hole. The driving member has a driving portion and a first rack portion, and the driving portion is exposed out of the housing. The first linking member has a second rack portion and an engaging groove. The gear mechanism meshes with the first rack portion and the second rack portion. The first engaging member has a guiding portion and a first engaging portion, and the guiding portion is disposed in the guiding rail. Opposite ends of the second linking member are pivotally connected to the first linking member and the first engaging member, respectively. The second engaging member has a second engaging portion. |
| US09027895B2 |
Portable support having extendable rod
A portable support for supporting equipment above a surface having an opening to a subsurface space. The support includes a head, an elevator on the head, and legs connected to the head for supporting the head above the surface. Each of the legs has a foot for engaging the surface when supporting the head above the surface. The support also includes an elongate rod vertically mounted on the elevator for movement between a raised position, in which an upper end of the rod extends above the head, and a lowered position, in which a lower end of the rod extends below the feet of the legs to extend into the subsurface space. The support includes an instrument platform positionable on the lower end of the rod when in the lowered position to support the equipment in the subsurface space when the rod is in the lowered position. |
| US09027894B2 |
Support apparatus for display devices and other objects
A support apparatus includes an arm assembly attached to a support assembly such that the arm assembly is positionable adjacent to an article of furniture such as a desk or work surface. A mounting device is attached to the arm assembly that is sized and configured to retain a display device. A vertically adjustable attachment mechanism attaches a first end of the counterbalance mechanism to the arm assembly or support assembly. The vertically adjustable attachment mechanism is sized and configured such that a vertical position of the first end of the counterbalance mechanism is adjustable via movement of at least one component of the vertically adjustable attachment mechanism. |
| US09027893B2 |
Hanging device
A hanging device includes a wall-connecting frame, an object-connecting frame, and a plurality of connectors. The wall-connecting frame includes a connecting bracket that has a plurality of connecting holes formed in front and rear end faces thereof. The object-connecting frame is connected to the connecting bracket and is adapted for connection with an object. Each connector extends through one of the connecting holes in the rear end face and a corresponding connecting hole in the front end face, and is connected to the object-connecting frame. The connectors are operable to move the object-connecting frame forwardly and rearwardly relative to the wall-connecting frame. |
| US09027888B2 |
System and method for measurement of angular orientation of aerospace platforms
A method and system are presented for use in determination of the orientation of an aerospace platform with respect to a first rotation axis. A direction of a rotation rate vector of said aerospace platform within a lateral plane intersecting with said first rotation axis is measured and the measured data is analyzed to determine an orientation angle of said aerospace platform about said first rotation axis. While the aerospace platform is in a predetermined-dynamic state movement, a certain direction is determined by measuring a direction of the rotation rate of the aerospace platform within said lateral plane by a sensor assembly mounted on said platform and including at least one rotation rate sensor. An orientation of the platform with respect to said first axis is determined by determining a relation between said certain direction and said known direction within said external reference frame. |
| US09027887B2 |
Method of controlling the attitude of a satellite and an attitude-controlled satellite
A method of controlling the attitude of a satellite in orbit around a celestial body. The attitude of the satellite being controlled by a momentum storage device and controllable surfaces of the satellite configured to create desaturation torques in the storage device by using solar pressure. The controllable surfaces are arranged on solar panels mobile in rotation around an axis Y. At least one electric thruster configured to control the orbit of the satellite also controls the attitude of the satellite. The orientation of the electric thruster is controlled to activate the electric thruster with a thrust direction deliberately not aligned with a center of mass of the satellite to create desaturation torques in the storage device along axis Y. The controllable surfaces are controlled to create desaturation torques of the storage device in a plane orthogonal to the Y axis. |
| US09027886B1 |
High altitude escape pod
A self inflating escape pod in the form of a vest to be worn by an individual to protect their body from a fall when they jump from a high rise building. The vest has a battery, altimeter, motion sensor, bladders and means for inflating the bladders. Removal of the vest from a storage cabinet activates the altimeter which activates the motion detector upon detecting a change in altitude. Upon sensing motion, the motion detector activates inflation of the bladders, forming a pod surround the individual's body. Air channels in the pod provide air to the individual and the pod is designed to accommodate different sizes of individuals. Beacons and reflectors on the pod assist in locating it, and one or more of the bladders will automatically deflate once the individual has stopped falling. |
| US09027883B2 |
Aircraft fairing
A shock control fairing for mounting a junction between adjoining aircraft surfaces. The fairing has a cross-sectional profile which varies along the length of the fairing. The cross-sectional profile of the fairing has a maximum area at a location which, when mounted to an aircraft, is substantially proximal to a location on the surface of the aircraft at which a shock would be expected to develop without the fairing. |
| US09027881B2 |
Composite material structure and aircraft wing provided therewith
Provided is a composite material structure enabled to be reduced in weight. The composite material structure includes a front section (3a) extending in one direction and formed as a composite material made of fiber reinforced plastics, a rear section (3c) separated from the front section (3a) by a predetermined space, extending in the one direction, and formed as a composite material made of fiber reinforced plastics, and access panels (5) provided between the front section (3a) and the rear section (3c) and having a dimension in the one direction shorter than the front section (3a) and the rear section (3c). The access panels (5) are fixed to the front section (3a) and the rear section (3c) in an orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the one direction and set to be displaceable in the one direction and are removable. |
| US09027880B2 |
Screen for a passenger cabin
A device for creating an individually delimited zone of a passenger cabin in a mode of transport for at least one passenger seat includes a modular cabin element that has been attached in a positionally variable manner to stationary guide rails of the passenger seat by way of quick-release fasteners. Associated with this cabin element is an extendable and affixable privacy screen roller blind that forms a flexible dividing element, which privacy screen roller blind extends from the underside of the hatrack or the PSU panel or the ceiling arrangement, and in the lateral region in addition the sidewall lining of the passenger cabin, to the modular cabin element, and by way of which privacy screen roller blind an individually delimited zone can be implemented. |
| US09027877B1 |
Filling apparatus for high-altitude balloons
High-altitude balloons and apparatuses for filling such high-altitude balloons are provided. As an example, an apparatus for filling a high-altitude balloon includes a tube extending through envelope material of the balloon is provided. The apparatus also includes a flange connected to a first end of the tube. The flange is connected to an interior surface of the balloon. A fitting is connected to a second end of the tube. The fitting is configured for attachment with an apparatus for filling the balloon with lift gas. In addition, methods of filing high-altitude balloons with lift gas and methods of manufacturing balloons are also provided. |
| US09027876B2 |
Device for suspending a turbine engine from an airplane
A device for suspending a turbojet casing, the device including a shouldered pin extending through aligned orifices of two lugs of a clevis secured to the casing. A protection piece for providing protection against wear is mounted on each lug of the clevis and has the shouldered pin passing therethrough, the protection piece being prevented from moving in rotation on the lug by co-operating shapes. |
| US09027875B2 |
Pylon arrangement for open structure
An aircraft pylon is disclosed, the pylon including a strut, a modular fluid containment structure and a modular firewall. The strut presents an open structure and connects an aircraft external element to the aircraft. The fluid containment structure is associated with a fluid transfer component, wherein the fluid containment structure contains escaped fluid from the fluid transfer component and channels the escaped fluid away from the aircraft. Both the fluid containment component and the firewall are modular and separable from the strut. |
| US09027873B2 |
System and method for vibration control in a rotorcraft using an adaptive reference model algorithm
The adaptive reference model algorithm uses a gain scheduling feature combined with a customized Least-Squares routine as an adaptive method for adjusting feedback control so as to account for variations in Transfer Function (G), thereby optimizing the effectiveness of the Active Vibration Control (AVC) System. The Least-Squares routine identifies the transfer function in a background process without interruption of closed loop vibration control. This identification approach is accomplished without intentional interrogation of the AVC actuators and without intentional vibration level changes. For this adaptive control logic, the dynamic relationship between AVC actuators and AVC sensors is represented by a mathematical model of Transfer Function (G). The mathematical model of Transfer Function (G) is continuously updated by the Least-Squares routine. A feedback gain (H) is computed from the mathematical model of Transfer Function (G), and the feedback gain (H) is updated each time the mathematical model of Transfer Function (G) is updated. |
| US09027871B2 |
Automated sheet product dispenser
A roller for a sheet product dispenser includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser. A dispensing mechanism for a sheet product dispenser includes a chassis and a roller positioned within and coupled to the chassis. The roller includes a roller shaft, a roller frame molded onto the roller shaft, and a plurality of flexible rubber portions overmolded onto the roller frame and spaced along a length of the roller frame. The rubber portions are configured to contact a sheet product for dispensing from the sheet product dispenser. |
| US09027870B2 |
Web rewinding apparatus
A web rewinding apparatus having a mandrel cupping assembly for releaseably engaging unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels is disclosed. Each of the plurality of mandrels extends generally parallel to the web winding turret assembly axis. Each of the mandrels is driven in a closed mandrel path about the web winding turret assembly axis. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret having a cupping arm turret central axis, a mandrel cup cooperatively associated with each mandrel of the plurality of mandrels, at least three motion limiting devices disposed upon the cupping arms, and a first actuator. |
| US09027869B2 |
Filament winding apparatus
A filament winding apparatus prevents a fiber bundle supplied to a liner from interfering with other fiber bundles and fiber supplying guides. First and second guide units include a plurality of fiber supplying guides arranged radially and extending and contracting in a direction approximately perpendicular to a liner central axis. When a fiber bundle supplied from a first supplying guide of the first guide unit crosses between a second supplying guide of the second guide unit and the liner, the distance from the second supplying guide to the liner central axis is made larger than the distance from the first supplying guide to the liner central axis, and in the reverse case, the distance from the first supplying guide to the liner central axis is made larger than the distance from the second supplying guide to the liner central axis. |
| US09027868B2 |
Coiled roll container
A coiled roll container including a base having opposed one and other sides and an outlet slot through which an edge of the coil roll extends. A pair of elastic cords each having opposed one and other ends is provided with the one end fixed at one side of the base and the other end releasably attached to the other side of the base. The elastic cords are for looping over the coiled roll to secure the coiled roll in place. The container also includes a cord locking mechanism at the other side of the base for receiving and securing the elastic cords about the coil roll. |
| US09027866B2 |
Webbing take-up device
A webbing take-up device that is both capable of promoting reductions in size and weight and capable of excellently maintaining coupling strength between a pawl member and a ring portion. A clutch plate and a lock ring of this webbing take-up device are coupled by plural teeth provided at the clutch plate meshing with plural teeth provided at the lock ring. This lock ring is specified to have a lower material strength than the clutch plate. A tooth height H2 of the plural teeth of the lock ring is specified to be lower than a tooth height of the plural teeth of the clutch plate. Thus, when the lock ring and the clutch plate mesh, tooth tips of the plural teeth of the clutch plate come into contact with tooth bottoms of the plural teeth of the lock ring. |
| US09027864B2 |
Webbing retractor
In a webbing retractor, the center of a rack and rack-teeth in an axial direction of a pinion is placed on the opposite side of a leg plate side with respect to the central axis of a cylinder. The piston is acted upon by a tilting-force toward the leg plate side from the pinion. A stop portion of an upper stay is placed on another leg plate side of the leg plate. Even when the piston is acted upon by the tilting force toward the leg plate side from the pinion, the stop portion can stop the movement of the leg plate toward the other leg plate side, and tilting of the piston and the cylinder toward the leg plate side can be suppressed. Moreover, the need to increase the strength of a frame and so forth can be eliminated, so the webbing retractor can be made compact and lightweight. |
| US09027863B2 |
Bale shredder
A bale shredder apparatus may comprise a frame and a bale hopper mounted on the frame and defining an interior bale chamber for receiving a bale to be shredded with a bale feed opening. A bale shredding assembly may be in communication with the bale chamber through the opening to shred a bale in the bale chamber. A side wall of the hopper may be movable away from the primary side wall to permit removal of a bale from the bale chamber. A primary bale movement assembly may move a bale in a lateral direction toward the opening and a secondary bale movement assembly may move the bale in a direction substantially transverse to the lateral direction. A shredding rotor of the shredding assembly may include at least one brace including at least one leg extending outwardly from the outer surface of the rotor. |
| US09027862B2 |
Shredder that produces crinkle paper stripes
The invention relates to a paper processing product and, in particular, to a shredder that crinkles paper stripes. The shredder has a shaft set driven by a motor. The shaft set includes at least two shafts rotating in opposite directions. Cutting blade sets are mounted on the shafts. Paper enters the entry of a paper passage formed by the shafts, and gets shredded into chips by the cutting blades. Since the exit of the paper passage is provided with a movable stopper, paper stripes are pushed by the rotating cutting blades to pass the stopper and become crinkled. The stopper is triggered to open by a certain force, letting the paper stripes fall. In addition to the functions of a usual shredder, the paper stripes thus made can be recycled. |
| US09027861B2 |
Spray nozzle assembly
A spray nozzle assembly including at least one wear part made from a hard and abrasion-resistant material and a protective housing made from a strong and resilient material and having a downstream chamber adapted to receive one or more of the wear parts in releasably trapped relationship, the downstream chamber having a wall including a post defined by a slot in the downstream chamber wall either side of the post, the post including an inwardly extending protuberance at or near its end and adapted to prevent the wear part from escaping from the downstream chamber. |
| US09027858B2 |
Two-component spray device and use thereof
This invention is directed to a spray device for spraying two or more components. The two or more components are maintained separated in the spray device and are mixed post atomization. This invention is also directed to a gravity fed spray gun and a system for spraying two or more components. This invention is further directed to a kit for converting an existing conventional single-component spray gun typically used for spraying a single component to a two-component spray gun for spraying two components. |
| US09027857B2 |
Switchable hand shower
A hand shower has outer housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, is disposed in the interior of the outer housing. The first housing part is produced by dual-component injection molding and has a support formed from a hard component. Alongside the switching device, this support is provided with a passage. A soft component, injected onto the outer side of the support covers the passage in a membrane-like manner. The membrane region of the soft component is elastically deformable to allow the switching device to be operated from the surroundings. |
| US09027855B2 |
Safe portable sprayer
A safe portable sprayer comprising a reservoir for storing clean water that can be carried on the back or attached the shoulders, including a large nozzle on the upper face thereof, a small nozzle with a water pump adapted thereto, and a small neck that is provided with a cap. The cap is screwed on the nozzle, and includes a recipient that fits into the nozzle. The cap is provided with vertical holes that pass through a channel. The holes are provided with inner threads for receiving corresponding valves having lower tapered ends. Inside the recipient, flexible containers of chemicals are attached to the holes; the containers are kept immersed and compressed by water inside the recipient from the pump, such that the pressure generated by the water impels the water and chemical toward the channel of the cap, and to the spraying gun through the pipe. |
| US09027854B2 |
Swirl nozzle
A simple, compact construction and easy manufacture of a swirl nozzle having a plurality of inlet channels and an outlet channel extending transversely thereto are made possible by the fact that the inlet channels open directly and/or tangentially into the outlet channel. Alternatively or additionally, upstream of the inlet channels is provided a filter structure having smaller flow cross-sections than the inlet channels. The swirl nozzle is used, in particular, for atomizing a liquid medicament formulation. The swirl nozzle is produced from two plate-shaped components, the outlet channel first being etched as a blind bore in one component and then opened up by grinding the component away. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet channel is formed in a different component from the inlet channels. |
| US09027852B2 |
Constant quantity control nebulization device
Disclosed is a constant quantity control nebulization device including a main body, a nebulization module, a fixing plate and a rotary ring, and the device is installed to a container that contains a liquid to be nebulized. A first liquid storage space with a predetermined volume is defined at the top of the main body, and the nebulization module is installed in the main body and interconnected to the first liquid storage space, and the fixing plate is fixed onto the main body and has a first through hole, the rotary ring is sheathed on the top of the main body and axially coupled to the fixing plate, and the rotary ring has a second through hole corresponding to the first through hole. The consumption of the liquid to be nebulized can be controlled by rotating the rotary ring to improve the convenience of operation significantly. |
| US09027848B1 |
Apparatus for waterfall effect
An apparatus that includes two separate reservoirs wherein the first reservoir is molded into the body of the larger artificial body of water and filled using a standard pump from the main body of water. From the larger body of water, the water is then moved upward through the apparatus through the manual opening of a valve assembly. Once the valve assembly is opened, the water moves through the valve assembly and through a grate and into a second reservoir. From this second reservoir, the water is pulled by the force gravity over the spillway into the main body of water, creating a clean, sheer waterfall effect. |
| US09027845B2 |
Valves
A thermostatic mixing valve having a manually operable actuator for user selection of water temperature and flow rate, where the actuator is configured to permit both simultaneous and independent adjustment of the water temperature and the flow rate. |
| US09027844B2 |
Water delivery system and valve for a sink
A water delivery system is provided, including at least one sink with a faucet device having a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one sink, a hot water line to the at least one sink, and a valve associated with the at least one sink allowing in an open state the transport of water between the hot water line and the cold water line and inhibiting in a closed state the transport of water between the hot water line and the cold water line, wherein the open state and the closed state of the valve depend solely on whether a differential pressure across the valve is below or above a threshold value. |
| US09027843B2 |
Information exchange display using color space encoded image
Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer program products for information exchange using color space encoded images. A color space encoded image can be displayed, for example on media such as posters, billboards, or paper, or on a display of a first device such as smartphone displays, palmtop displays, camera displays, tablet displays, or e-reader displays. A second device can acquire the displayed encoded image, for example by photographing the image. The second device can decode the color space encoded image or transfer the color space encoded image to a device that decodes the image. |
| US09027841B2 |
Coin with embedded micro-chip
A digital information transferring coin is a disc-shaped apparatus that is capable of transferring digital information to another electronic device through radio communication. The apparatus includes a metal planar body, a near field communication (NFC) chip, a vinyl sticker, and an insulative pad. The NFC chip is mounted within a recessed well of the metal planar body. The vinyl sticker encloses the NFC chip within the recessed well, which allows the NFC chip to wirelessly communicate with a host NFC-enabled electronic device without interference from the apparatus. The NFC chip is situated within its recessed well with the insulative pad, which is used to prevent the NFC chip from making direct contact with the metal planar body. An epoxy finish is applied onto both the vinyl sticker and the metal planar body in order to further protect the NFC chip from any physical damage. |
| US09027840B2 |
Point of sale inductive systems and methods
Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same. |
| US09027839B2 |
Security elements for antennas
A portable data carrier (2) and a method for its production, including an apparatus (4) for storing and processing data, an antenna (6) for transmitting energy and information which is connected to the apparatus (4), as well as a plastic surrounding the apparatus (4) and the antenna (6), where the plastic of the portable data carrier is transparent or partially transparent and the antenna (6) has at least one security feature. |
| US09027838B2 |
System and method for expansion of field of view in a vision system
This invention provides a field of view expander (FOVE) removably attached to a vision system camera having an image sensor defining an image plane. In an embodiment the FOVE includes first and second mirrors that transmit light from a scene in respective first and second partial fields of view along first and second optical axes. Third and fourth mirrors respectively receive reflected light from the first and second mirrors. The third and fourth mirrors reflect the received light onto the image plane in a first strip and a second strip adjacent to the first strip. The first and second optical axes are approximately parallel and a first focused optical path length between the scene and the image plane and a second focused optical path between the image plane and the scene are approximately equal in length. The optical path can be rotated at a right angle in embodiments. |
| US09027837B2 |
Method of recognizing QR code in image data and apparatus and method for converting QR code in content data into touchable object
Provided are a method of recognizing a quick response (QR) code in image data, and an apparatus and method for converting a QR code in content data into a touchable object. The method of converting a QR code in content data into a touchable object includes a step in which a computer device receives content data including a QR code, a step in which the computer device recognizes the QR code in the content data, and a step in which the computer device converts an image in which the QR code is shown into a touchable object for executing a command included in the QR code. The converting step includes interpreting, at the computer device, the command included in the recognized QR code, and modifying, at the computer device, a code of the content data to convert the image into the touchable object for executing the command. |
| US09027834B2 |
Card reader
Provided is a card reader capable of increasing visibility over the prior art for a location into which a card is actually inserted. A card reader is provided with a main body frame constituting a card passage through which an inserted card passes, and a light source for illuminating the interior of the card passage. With this card reader, the light source is illuminating the interior of the card passage through which the card passes, and therefore, it is possible to brighten the interior of the card passage through which the card passes. Therefore, it is possible to brighten the location into which the card is actually inserted so that it is easier to visually confirm the location into which the card is actually inserted. |
| US09027832B1 |
Second chance lottery system
A second chance entry method for a ticket holder to remotely enter at least one ticket identifier by way of a remote input device to a main website that includes a computer-implemented data base. The method includes having the user register at the website; issuing a code card from the website; delivering the code card to the possession of the user; providing the remote input device with a camera for reading codes; scanning the code card at the camera of the input device to verify the authenticity of the user; and scanning at least one ticket by means of the camera of the input device. |
| US09027830B2 |
Cash handling system, cash handling method, management unit and cash accounting apparatus
There is provided a cash handling system capable of reliably storing sales proceeds and the like stored in a cash settlement apparatus into a cash accounting apparatus. A cash management system 1 includes a cash settlement apparatus 11, a cash accounting apparatus 21 and the cash transport cassette 30. The cash settlement apparatus 11 and the cash accounting apparatus 21 have reading units 157, 257, respectively, which are configured to read out cassette ID information from a memory unit 35 of the cash transport cassette 30. In addition, the cash management system 1 further includes: a management unit 26 having a depositing judgment unit 26A configured to judge whether cash in the cash settlement apparatus 11 to be received by the cash transport cassette 30 can be deposited into the cash accounting apparatus 21 or not; a guide apparatus configured to guide information from the management unit 26; and a comparison unit 27 configured to compare the cassette ID information read out by the reading unit 257 of the cash accounting apparatus 21 and the information from the management unit 26. |
| US09027829B2 |
Banknote handling apparatus having a sorted-banknote stacking device and bundling device
A banknote handling apparatus (1) includes a sorted-banknote stacking device (2) that sorts and stacks banknotes per denomination and a bundling device (3) that bundles the banknotes. The sorted-banknote stacking device (2) includes a feeding unit (12) that feeds the banknote from the hopper unit (11); a transporting unit (13) that transports the banknote; a denomination recognizing unit (14); a plurality of stackers (16) in which the banknote is sorted and stacked based on a recognition result; and a rejecting unit (17) that discharges rejected banknotes. The bundling device includes a bundling-object-banknote stacking unit (21) that stacks banknote of a specific denomination transported by the transporting unit (13); and a banknote bundling unit (22) that bundles the banknotes. The bottom surface of the sorted-banknote stacking unit (2) is arranged at a higher level than the bottom surface of the bundling device (3). |
| US09027828B2 |
Media processing device and method of controlling a media processing device
A media processing device enables continuous high-speed processing of recording media. A media processing device has a magnetic head 21 that reads information recorded on checks 4 in the check 4 conveyance path 10, a magnetic recognition unit 20b that acquires the result of a verification based on information read by the magnetic head 21, and a conveyance control unit 20a that starts conveying the check 4 to be processed next. The conveyance control unit 20a selectively operates in an individual processing mode that starts conveying the check 4 to be read next after the results of verifying the read data are acquired by the magnetic recognition unit 20b, and a continuous processing mode that starts conveying the check 4 to be read next after the magnetic head 21 reads at least part of the information without waiting for the magnetic head 21 to acquire the complete verification result. |
| US09027826B2 |
Frangible shipping carton and associated methods
A selectively frangible shipping carton for storing and shipping goods comprises at least one side wall joining a top wall and a bottom wall. A path of weakness extends around a periphery of the carton through at least a portion of the side wall. The path of weakness enables a user to manually separate the carton into at least two portions: an upper portion including the top wall and a lower portion including the bottom wall. A pair of lines of weakness extends upwardly relative to the path of weakness and terminates at or adjacent the top wall. A grip flap defined in the side wall between the pair of lines of weakness, the grip flap being graspable by the user when separating the carton into the at least two portions. |
| US09027821B2 |
Process for direct bonding two elements comprising copper portions and portions of dielectric materials
A process of assembly by direct bonding of a first and second element, each having a surface including copper portions separated by a dielectric material, the process includes: polishing the surfaces such that the surfaces to be assembled allow assembly by bonding; forming a diffusion barrier selectively in copper portions of the first and second elements, wherein the surface of the diffusion barrier of the first and second elements is level with the surface, to within less than 5 nanometers; and bringing the two surfaces into contact, such that the copper portions of one surface cover at least partly the copper portions of the other surface, and such that direct bonding is obtained between the surfaces. |
| US09027819B2 |
Methods and apparatus having bowstring-like staple delivery to a target tissue
Devices for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue include a sheath and a staple push rod. The sheath has a distal end configured to be pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the sheath and is slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to abut a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. The stakes are biased to assume a bow-like shape such that an intermediate portion of a staple extends tautly between the first stake and the second stake when the stakes are extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed. |
| US09027817B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus including sensing mechanism
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device. |
| US09027816B2 |
Fastener driving tool
The invention relates to a fastener driving tool comprising a tank (5) for storing a fuel, in particular liquefied petroleum gas, a combustion chamber (2) connected to the tank (5), wherein the combustion chamber (2) has a movable piston for powering a driving plunger, and a metering device (4) arranged between the tank (5) and the combustion chamber (2) wherein a defined quantity of fuel can be transported by means of the metering device (4) from a metering space (12) into the combustion chamber (2), wherein the metering device (4) comprises a thermomechanical element (15) by means of which the defined amount can be varied as a function of a temperature. |
| US09027815B2 |
Apparatus and method for making glass sheet with improved sheet stability
Apparatus and equipment for making glass sheet from a glass ribbon including scoring, bending and separation in vertical state with improved glass ribbon stability provided by edge restrainers located above the score-line that also travel with substantially the same vertical velocity with the elastic ribbon. The edge restrainers on both sides of the glass ribbon serve to limit the motion and perturbation of the ribbon during scoring, bending and separation, advantageously by tensioning the glass ribbon where needed. The invention can reduce disturbance of the glass ribbon in upstream visco-elastic and/or viscous zones due to scoring, bending and separation, therefore enhance forming process stability and product attributes such as thickness variation, stress and stress variation, and the like. The invention can be particularly advantageous for making glass sheet with large width and/or low thickness using the fusion down-draw, slot down-draw, re-draw down-draw, and other down-draw processes. |
| US09027810B1 |
Method of producing a ballistic resistant article
A method for a user to produce a ballistic resistant carriable article through the user a) providing a desired article to be used as a container for at least one sheet of ballistic resistant material that is formable to the selected article, b) shaping said material by cutting or folding to the desired article and attaching through fastener to the interior surface of the article. The carriable article is preferably taken from the group of purse, attaché case, backpack and carry-on luggage. The at least one sheet of ballistic resistant material is attached to the interior surface of the article with fastener means, preferably taken from the group of double back tape, VELCRO®, snaps and glue. |
| US09027808B2 |
Holders for mobile devices
An attachment system includes a case having a bottom including at least two slots, a strap inserted into the at least two slots of the case, and at least one add-on piece attached to the strap. The strap includes an attachment means, and the at least one add-on piece may include interchangeable jewelry pieces. |
| US09027807B2 |
Wearable beverage container holder
A wearable cup holder arrangement permits a wearer to secure a drink cup or bottle to the leg, either above or below the knee, to hold the container while seated or standing. A holder body or shell has a receptacle for the drink container, with a pair of L-shaped slots extending on the back and bottom. A strap passes through these slots and then secures around the wearer's leg. The L-shaped slots allow the strap to be positioned at the back side or the bottom of the shell. In one alternative, pivot hardware holds the shell to the strap, and allows rotation of 90 degrees. |
| US09027806B1 |
Beverage and pill carrier device
A beverage and pill carrier device attaches to a garment for hands free carrying of a beverage and discretely held medications. The device includes a container for holding a bottle. A hook is coupled to and extends from the container. The hook is attachable to a loop of a garment. A support wall is coupled to a perimeter wall of the container and extends through an interior space of the container. The support wall supports the bottle in spaced relationship to a base wall of the container. A pocket wall has a peripheral edge coupled to a perimeter edge of the base wall such that the pocket wall forms a pocket with the base wall. An opening extends into the pocket for insertion of pills into the pocket. |
| US09027799B2 |
Aerosol container for dispensing plural kinds of liquids
A mounting member fitted and mounted on an open head portion of an aerosol container 11 having an inner diameter of 1 inch is formed with two valve housing mounting portions. The mounting member is fitted and mounted with the middle portion of this mounting member being located at a bead 12 of the opening head portion of the aerosol container 11 in such a manner that the upper portions of aerosol valves project upwardly from the opening head portion. A cover 19 covering the outside of the mounting member is crimped to the outside of the bead 12 in a manner to hold down a stem gasket and two aerosol valves are provided in the inch can 11. A reinforcing cover member which holds down the stem gasket and prevents deformation of the cover is provided between the mounting member and the cover 19 to thereby accurately prevent deformation due to internal pressure applied to a top ceiling of the cover and leakage from the stem gasket. An aerosol device for dispensing plural kinds of liquids in which two aerosol valves for dispensing and injecting contents liquids are disposed in a standard aerosol container with a bead having an inner diameter of 1 inch can thereby be provided. |
| US09027797B2 |
Shield for a fluid dispenser
A shield for a fluid dispenser includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure defining an interior flow passage. The mount structure is configured to be attached to an actuator of a fluid dispenser. Fluid dispensers and fluid dispenser systems are also disclosed. |
| US09027794B2 |
Liquid control mobility (LCM) receptacles
The present disclosure is directed to a liquid control mobility receptacle for storage, filtration, distribution, and transportation of liquids. The liquid control mobility receptacle has a main body that encloses a front security enclosure, a pump enclosure, and a main enclosure for storage of liquids. The main enclosure is disposed between the pump enclosure and the front security enclosure. An internal power source is enclosed within the front security enclosure and is electrically coupled to a pump, which is enclosed in pump enclosure. A fill line is provided to pump liquid from a liquid source into the main enclosure. A recirculation line is provided to recirculate fluid in within the main enclosure. A supply line is provided for pumping fluid out of the main enclosure. In some examples, the liquid control mobility receptacle has an internal power source that is a diesel engine, and the security enclosure further houses a fuel enclosure that is fluidly coupled to the diesel engine. In some further examples, the liquid control mobility receptacle has an internal power source that is a solar power generator, and a top wall of the security enclosure further includes a plurality of solar panels that are electrically coupled to the solar power generator. |
| US09027783B2 |
Container and method of manufacture thereof
A container including a sidewall having a top and bottom ends, a base attached to or proximate the bottom end defining a cavity bounded by the sidewall and by the base, and the base including at least a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, such that the second thickness is less than the first thickness. A method for controlling deformation in a container including the steps of manufacturing the container as described above, filling the container with a substance, sealing the container at a top end thereof, inverting the container such that the container rests on its top end, allowing the substance to undergo a volume reduction resulting in a vacuum pressure within the container, wherein when subjected to the vacuum pressure, the base deforms at the second portion due to the second thickness being less than the first thickness. |
| US09027780B2 |
Egg and other product packaging
An egg carton includes a base and a lid that are hinged together through a web. The base and lid may include side walls extending around the base and the lid, the base including at least one egg cup for receiving an egg but typically around six. The base further includes at least one compartment in the base for containing other ingredients than eggs, such as bacon. The lid and base include co-operating members arranged so that when the lid is closed on the base the co-operating members ensure that there is a gap between the side walls of the lid and base to allow the flow of air into and out of the carton. This ensures that no moisture collects in the carton that can affect the longevity of the eggs and other ingredients. |
| US09027779B2 |
Front emptying trash can
A trash can for hanging and retaining standard kitchen trash bags in a sanitary and energy efficient manner. Novel trash bag support brackets are suspended spatially within the trash can to allow a user to stretch the mouth of a trash bag thereabout without touching any other surface. The trash bag opens from the front, allowing a user to hang the trash bag without bending or stooping. Foot pedals control three different lid positions. A combination false bottom/catch pan tilts backwards to collect and contain any solid or liquid waste. An integral pedal-to-lid linkage shield affixed to the back of the false floor doubles as a handle to lift the false bottom/catch pan out from the trash can for cleaning. |
| US09027777B1 |
Vented trash container with a manifold of air channels
A vented trash container with a manifold of air channels which is capable of distributing air throughout the entire container. The vented trash container is capable of eliminating vacuum between walls of the container and a liner. The manifold in the container comprises a plurality of air channels and an air distributing means. The manifold forms a network of the air channels so as to provide air distribution throughout the entire container and enhance reliability of the air distribution. The vented trash container with the manifold can be cast form a single piece of a material to form an integrated seamless unit and easily manufactured by a single injection molding process. |
| US09027776B2 |
Assembly having a holding toric body for closing an annular collar, or connecting to same, which can be rapidly positioned and removed and used in the biopharamaceutical field
A first piece mounted in a fixed and rigid manner on a rigid annular collar of a second piece having an end opening, includes a transversal wall; an annular wall forming a skirt, whose inner face includes a part having a larger diameter and a part having a smaller diameter; a holding toric body adjacent to the inner face, deformable between a retracted state and an expanded state, and filled with a swelling medium; and at least one inlet/outlet port for the swelling media, communicating with the holding body. The first piece is dimensioned in relation to the collar, so as to enable the first piece to be slipped onto, or removed from, the second piece, when the holding body is in the retracted state, and to be mounted onto the collar in a fixed, rigid and tight manner, when the holding body is in the expanded state. |
| US09027769B2 |
Cap with integrated spout
A cap having an integrated spout includes an overcap with an insert for providing a seal for the spout. In various versions, the spout or insert include ribs or other features to provide a watertight seal between the spout and insert. The spout is preferably formed from a resilient material. |
| US09027767B2 |
Rack shelving unit
A rack shelving unit includes front and rear beams, and one or more tie bars extending between the front and rear beams to form a shelf frame with the front and rear beams which can support a shelf. The tie bar can include flexible sidewalls that can flex laterally away from each other as the shelf is loaded to increase the compressive force of a compression retainer coupling the tie bar to the front and rear beams. |
| US09027766B1 |
Adjustable bracket for holding auxiliary equipment for televisions
An adjustable bracket system for supporting auxiliary equipment above or below a television having a shelf panel, a first and a second L-shaped support with a support portion and an extension portion that together form an L-shaped piece, the support portions are attached to the bottom surface of the shelf panel and the extension portions extend upwardly from a second end of the shelf panel above the top surface of the shelf panel, the L-shaped supports are spaced a distance apart and are oriented parallel to each other, a first and a second mounting tube that are generally hollow with a open ends where the extension portion of the L-shaped support is telescopically received in the second end of the mounting tube, the L-shaped supports can be secured in a position, the first ends of the mounting tubes are to telescopically receive a wall mounting bracket for a television. |
| US09027765B2 |
Filter media with fibrillated fibers
Filter media suitable for various applications (e.g., hydraulic) and related components, systems, and methods associated therewith are described. The filter media may include a fiber web having a mixture of glass fibers and fibers that are fibrillated. The fibrillated fibers, for example, may be formed of lyocell. |
| US09027764B2 |
Moisture-permeable separating membrane material
A moisture-permeable separating membrane material includes a porous fluororesin membrane, a continuous moisture-permeable resin layer formed on the surface of the porous fluororesin membrane, and a textile layer for reinforcing the porous fluororesin membrane and the continuous moisture-permeable resin layer. The textile layer contains a flame retardant in the inside of each fiber and the surface of each fiber has been treated with a flame retardant. The moisture-permeable separating membrane material makes it possible to improve flame retardancy without deteriorating heat exchange characteristics. |
| US09027755B2 |
Food container stacking device and system
A food container stacking device comprising: a horizontal member, with a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a first corner, second corner, third corner, and fourth corner; the food container stacking device configured to lay on the top surface of a first food container, and further configure to support a second food container on the top surface, thereby allowing for the stacking of the first and second food containers. A food container stacking system, comprising: a first food container; a first food container stacking device configured to lay on the top surface of the first food container, the first food container stacking device comprising: a horizontal member, with a first longitudinal sinusoidal shaped side, a second longitudinal sinusoidal shaped side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, a first corner, second corner, third corner, and fourth corner; a first pin removeably attachable to the first hole, and extending from the bottom surface; a second pin removeably attachable to the second hole, and extending from the bottom surface; a third pin removeably attachable to the third hole, and extending from the bottom surface; a fourth pin removeably attachable to the fourth hole, and extending from the bottom surface, where the first and second pins are configured to lay outside of the perimeter of the first food container, and where the third and fourth pins are configured to lay outside of the perimeter of the first food container, on an opposite side of the first food container. |
| US09027753B2 |
Packaging system for portable electronic devices with removable faceplates
A removable faceplate for a portable electronic device is provided. The faceplate permits a user to change the physical appearance of a surface of the device while retaining access to the mechanisms for controlling the function of the device. Preferably, the removable faceplate and electronic device are configured with a means for association and dissociation that can be activated without the use of a tool and the means is not visible when the faceplate is attached. Additionally, an improved packaging system is provided to enable a vendor or manufacturer to package faceplates with the devices that they will cover and to allow substitution of faceplates in the packaging without disturbing the packaging of the electronic device itself. Further, there is a method for distribution of the packaging system. |
| US09027752B2 |
Suspension packaging system and method
A product is mounted on a support pad and suspended on the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and product. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the product so the package containing the product can be stood on edge, but the edge of the product is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. The borders of the pad also include notches on the top and bottom of the pad that receive the stretch wrapping film away from the borders of the pad and closer to the product. Thus the product, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material could be used. |
| US09027745B2 |
Sorting system and sorting method for absorbent products
This distributing device for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path, a branch conveyor path that branches from the main conveyor path, a main conveyor path that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path, a diverting mechanism that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path from the main conveyor path to the branch conveyor path, and a branch conveyor mechanism that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism along the branch conveyor path. The diverting mechanism is provided with a diverting part for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path, returning to the standby position. |
| US09027741B2 |
Transport system for sheet material
The invention is related to a transport system for sheet material including a conveyor belt charged with a vacuum. The transport system includes a vacuum chamber providing the vacuum to charge the conveyor belt while moving along the vacuum chamber in a transport direction, wherein the conveyor belt is permeable to air by recesses having specified distances from each other, and air nozzles arranged at a deflection position inside the vacuum chamber. The specified distances from each other correlate with the distances of the recesses in the conveyor belt to allow pressurized air charged to the air nozzles to pass through the recesses in the conveyor belt. |
| US09027739B2 |
Wafer transport system
A substrate transport system includes a substrate cart inside a chamber and a linearly driven shuttle outside the chamber configured to levitate the substrate cart into a non contact, spaced relationship with respect to outwardly opposing sides of an interior wall of the chamber and to linearly drive the substrate cart within the chamber. |
| US09027736B2 |
Rotary apparatus for transferring bottles or containers in general
A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA); trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform. |
| US09027735B2 |
Transport device
A transport device includes a traveling holding member which can travel while holding a storage container, and a move out prevention mechanism which prevents substrates from moving out of an opening of the storage container. The move out prevention mechanism is configured to include a contacting member which can be moved between a contact position at which the contacting member is in contact with side faces of the substrates, and a spaced apart position at which the contacting member is spaced apart from the side faces of the substrates. The contact position is set such that the contacting member is located between an opening side end portion and a central portion of the substrates in a direction along which the substrates are inserted and removed. |
| US09027733B2 |
Container manufacture
An infeed apparatus for the manufacture of containers such as can bodies, comprises a series of 3 or more infeed turrets (22, 30). The infeed turrets (22, 30) take a can body as linear pitch and convert this pitch to a circular pitch. By use of the series of turrets, the can passes to a machine such as a container processing machine not only at a desired linear pitch but also at the specified processing speed. The exchange ratio between individual turrets (22, 30) in the infeed turret series is variable and no greater than 2:1. |
| US09027724B2 |
Starting device
A lockup clutch mechanism of a hydraulic transmission device includes a lockup piston that is capable of moving toward a front cover to press first and second friction plates, and a flange member that together with the lockup piston defines an engagement-side oil chamber. The front cover and the lockup piston define a first lubricant passage that supplies hydraulic oil to the first and second friction plates. A second lubricant passage communicating with the first lubricant passage is formed in a centerpiece of the front cover. A first shaft oil passage communicating with the engagement-side oil chamber and a second shaft oil passage communicating with the second lubricant passage are formed in an input shaft. |
| US09027720B2 |
Vibration damping mechanism
A vibration damping mechanism allows increase of an absorption amount of vibration energy, with less possibilities of increase in the manufacture cost of a vibration damping weight and of reduction in the strength of a shaft section. Within a cylindrical hollow portion formed inside the shaft section, there are accommodated a plurality of weight members divided from each other along the circumferential direction about the axis of the hollow portion. An urging member is provided for urging the weight members toward the axis such that dividing faces of adjacent weight members are brought into surface contact with each other. |
| US09027719B2 |
Adjuster and shock absorber
A rotary member that displaces a valve member in an axial direction in accordance with a rotation operation is supported on an adjuster case coaxially with the valve member. A detent mechanism is constituted by a fluid chamber that applies a fluid pressure to the rotary member in a direction for separating from the valve member, a pressure-applying member fixed to the rotary member, and a pressure-receiving member that is fixed to the adjuster to support the pressure-applying member against a pressure of the fluid chamber. By forming an engagement portion that engages with the pressure-applying member in the pressure-receiving member, a dimension of the rotary member of the adjuster and an operation input can be suppressed to be small. |
| US09027714B2 |
Actuating and resetting a safety gear
A device can actuate and reset a safety gear in an elevator system. The device contains a pressure accumulator, possibly a compression spring, which, in case of need, can move at least two engagement elements of the safety gear essentially synchronously into an engaged position, and a remotely actuatable resetting device, which can retension the pressure accumulator into a ready position. |
| US09027711B2 |
Self-locking bi-foldable load bearing segment
Self-locking bi-foldable load bearing segments are disclosed that can be used in applications such as ladders or ramp. First and second sections of the segment are foldably coupled to transition between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The first and second sections can include rungs pivotally attached to rails that can be further transitioned from the folded configuration to a collapsed configuration, but not transitioned from the open configuration to the collapsed configuration. Openings in the side walls of the rails allow the rungs to pivot in one direction, but not an opposite direction. In the open configuration, the openings of the first and second sections may be oriented opposite, and the direction of allowed rotation of the rungs of the first section and second section are opposite, restricting compression of the rails together. In the folded configuration, the openings of the first and second sections can be oriented the same to allow rotation of the rungs and compression of the rails together. |
| US09027709B2 |
Modular tree stand
A tree stand for removable attachment to a tree comprising: a support bar having an upper end and a lower end with a length therebetween; an upper jaw coupled to the upper end of the support bar and a lower jaw coupled to the lower end of the support bar, and a platform mounted to the outer side of the lower jaw by insertion of a set of protrusions on the platform into the pivoting snap locks of the arms of the lower jaw. A seat may also be attached to the support par through the upper jaw. |
| US09027705B2 |
Sound-absorbing member lamination structure
There is provided a sound absorbing member lamination structure in which the functions by the sound field adjustment can effectively be achieved by preventing the sound reflection against an intension of design in a boundary between the sound absorbing member and the other layer, when the sound absorbing member and the other layer are laminated into a united body. When the sound absorbing member and the other layer are placed in a stacked state, they are bonded with the use of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, so that the sound absorbing member and the other layer are combined together, with the pressure-sensitive adhesive kept uncured in a stacked state of the sound absorbing member and the other layer. Thus, such an uncured pressure-sensitive adhesive does not become a reflection portion of a sound. It is therefore possible to cause the sound to pass through appropriately the boundary between the respective layers. |
| US09027696B2 |
External airbag apparatus for vehicle
The present invention relates to an external airbag apparatus for a vehicle, including: an inflator; an airbag cushion which is deployed by gas flowing into the airbag cushion from the inflator; a separator which is disposed in the airbag cushion so as to separate an internal space of the airbag cushion into a plurality of chambers; and a vent hole which is formed in the airbag cushion so as to discharge gas flowing into the chamber to the outside. |
| US09027695B2 |
Vehicle-body front structure of vehicle
A first projection portion projecting outward, in a vehicle width direction, from a front side frame is provided. A front end of the first projection portion is located at the same position, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as a connection portion of a crash can to the front side frame or located in back of the connection portion. An outward side face of the first projection portion is configured to slant rearward and inward in a plan view. The first projection portion and a power unit are arranged to overlap each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Accordingly, an impact transmitted to a vehicle-compartment side in a small overlap collision can be reduced, restraining repair costs of the crash can broken in a low-speed collision as well as maintaining appropriate design flexibility of a vehicle-body front portion. |
| US09027694B2 |
Saddle-type electric vehicle
An electric two-wheeled vehicle includes a motor generating traveling power transmitted to a rear wheel, and a motor case accommodating the motor, wherein the motor case has a traveling wind inflow port allowing traveling wind to flow in the motor case, and a traveling wind outflow port allowing traveling wind flowing in the motor case to flow out, and a space surrounded by the motor case is communicated with a space where a coil of the motor is arranged. |
| US09027689B1 |
Reciprocating motion apparatus for a stroller
A reciprocating infant stroller assembly for automatically producing a reciprocating forward and backward rocking motion on an infant stroller is disclosed. The reciprocating infant stroller assembly includes a battery-powered motor having a linkage which is connects to an infant stroller wheel to induce a reciprocating motion. The reciprocating infant stroller assembly further includes a power switch and a speed control for controlling the frequency of motion. |
| US09027686B2 |
Truck fairing
A truck includes a frame, an operator cab on the frame and a drive axle having a differential. The differential can be connected to a drive shaft. A fairing for directing air flow around the differential is attached to the frame forward of the drive axle and forward of the differential. The fairing can have a non-deflected position and a deflected position. |
| US09027685B2 |
Latch assemblies and children's products that include latch assemblies
Latch assemblies and children's products that include the latch assemblies are disclosed herein. The children's products may include a children's ride-on vehicle. The children's ride-on vehicle may include a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels, and a hinged assembly that is coupled to the vehicle body. The hinged assembly may include a base member, a hinged member, and a latch assembly that is configured to selectively retain the hinged assembly in a closed orientation. The latch assembly may include a female member, a male member that is configured to be selectively interconnected with the female member, and a guide structure. The guide structure may be configured to direct the male member and the female member into an aligned orientation from which the male member may be received within the female member. |
| US09027683B2 |
Elastically deformable air inlets and vehicles incorporating the same
Elastically deformable air inlets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an air inlet includes a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one deformation zone. The first portion and the second portion define a hollow space. The air inlet also includes at least one support member including a first end and a second end that extends from the interior surface of the first portion toward the interior surface of the second portion. The second end of the support member contacts the deformation zone, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the support member extends through the deformation zone. |
| US09027682B2 |
Self charging electric vehicle
A self charging electric vehicle includes a frame, at least one battery, a distribution box, an engine control unit, a plurality of drive axle systems, and a plurality of electric modules. The plurality of drive axle systems is positioned on the frame and a motor of each of the drive axle system is powered by the battery. A drive axle generator of each of the drive axle system re-charges the battery through the distribution box as the drive axle generator is selectively engaged with the motor by a clutch. The clutch is automatically operated by the engine control unit as the plurality of electric modules provides data back into the engine control unit so that the drive axle generator can be efficiently engaged with rotational motion of the motor. |
| US09027679B2 |
Series-parallel coupling control method and system of hybrid power system
A series-parallel coupling control method and system for a hybrid driver are suitable for a hybrid power vehicle. The hybrid driver is used to produce a driving force to drive a load. The hybrid driver includes a first power generation unit, a second power generation unit, and a main controller. The main controller selectively controls the system to drive the load in a series power coupling mode or a parallel power coupling mode. The main controller switches between the series coupling mode and the parallel coupling mode by using rotation speed compensation or torque/power compensation. Therefore, the driven load will not suffer from sudden thrust or jerk. |
| US09027678B1 |
Omni-directional remote-controlled mobility apparatus
An omnidirectional mobility apparatus. The current invention is an omnidirectional, remote-controlled mobility apparatus, similar to a wheelchair, which allows the transport of an individual or object(s). The device includes a cubic-shaped base with wheel wells on each vertical side of said base. Within each wheel well is a wheel set, such that the front and rear wheel sets face each other and the left and right wheel sets face each other. The circumference of each wheel set includes a plurality of transverse-facing, smaller wheels disposed incrementally within each wheel set along the circumference of each wheel set, such that a portion of the smaller wheels protrude outside the circumference of each wheel set. This allows the mobility apparatus to propel in any direction. Also included in the device are an adjustable, interchangeable footrest and chair assembly. |
| US09027675B1 |
Polycrystalline diamond compact including a polycrystalline diamond table containing aluminum carbide therein and applications therefor
Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including at least a portion having aluminum carbide disposed interstitially between bonded-together diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded-together diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes aluminum carbide disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. |
| US09027672B2 |
Method of completing a well using a friction reducing completion fluid
A method for reducing the friction forces between tubulars, for example coiled tubing in casing includes mixing a selected suspending agent and surfactant and polymer particles in oil, then adding the mixture to water and pumping the mixture down the tubing. The mixture is particularly useful in coiled tubular drilling inside casing of an oil or gas well. The formulation has also been found to reduce corrosion on metal surfaces. |
| US09027671B2 |
Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation
Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one control variable. A drilling performance objective having a value that is influenced by drilling of the borehole using the at least one control variable is defined. A first interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a first value. A second interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a second value. A third interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a third value. The third value is selected based on a comparison of the values of the drilling performance objective while drilling the first interval and second interval to a predetermined optimal value of the drilling performance objective. |
| US09027668B2 |
Control system for high power laser drilling workover and completion unit
A control and monitoring system controls and monitors a high power laser system for performing high power laser operations. The control and monitoring system is configured to perform high power laser operation on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations. |
| US09027665B2 |
Wireless small motor driver having rotation reduction gear
A wireless small motor driver, in which power consumption is decreased by adjusting a gear ratio, the efficiency of an operation is increased due to a high torque, and the safety of a worker at night is ensured using an illumination lamp. The wireless small motor driver includes a driver case inside of which a motor is provided. A driver bit has a predetermined length in a bilateral direction, the driver bit being replaceable, with one or both ends thereof conforming to the shape of a bolt, and has a fixing projection. A socket is coupled to an end portion of the driver case, the driver bit being fastened to the socket. A rotation reduction gear is coupled to the motor, the rotation reduction gear transmitting rotary force to the socket and increasing a torque. A USB and a battery for supplying uniform power to the motor are added. |
| US09027662B2 |
Apparatus for infill extraction and collection
An apparatus for extracting and collecting particulate infill from an infilled artificial turf field. A vehicle has a first forward end and a second rearward end. An infill extractor is located at the first end of the vehicle and adapted to extract infill from a strip of infilled athletic turf. Extracted infill falls into a bottom section of the infill extractor. An infill mover is secured to the vehicle and adapted to move the extracted infill from the bottom section of the infill extractor toward the second end of the vehicle. An infill collector is connected to the second end of the vehicle and operable to cooperate with the infill mover to collect the moved infill. The infill collector includes a frame that is laterally movable relative to the vehicle from an operative “in use” position to a stowed position. |
| US09027659B2 |
Low stress traction system
A technique enables anchoring of a tool in a wellbore. The technique provides traction against a well component without creating high stress concentrations that weaken the well component. An anchoring device comprises anchoring members that are selectively movable to an expanded configuration for anchoring the tool. The anchoring members have traction surfaces able to selectively engage a smooth anchoring surface of the well component at any desired location along the well component. Each traction surface is formed to facilitate traction while minimizing stress concentration. |
| US09027657B2 |
Wireline cable for use with downhole tractor assemblies
A wireline cable includes an electrically conductive cable core for transmitting electrical power, an inner armor layer disposed around the cable core, and an outer armor layer disposed around the inner armor layer, wherein a torque on the cable is balanced by providing the outer armor layer with a predetermined amount of coverage less than an entire circumference of the inner armor layer, or by providing the outer armor layer and the inner armor layer with a substantially zero lay angle. |
| US09027651B2 |
Barrier valve system and method of closing same by withdrawing upper completion
A completion system, including a barrier valve transitionable between an open position and a closed position. An upper completion is operatively coupled with the barrier valve for mechanically transitioning the barrier valve to the closed position when the upper completion is withdrawn. A method of operating a completion system is also included. |
| US09027645B2 |
Fishing tool
Fishing tools for retrieving objects, i.e., “fish,” lodged within a wellbore are disclosed. The fishing tool comprises a tubular member having a tubular member bore with at least one profiled surface or insert disposed within or along the inner wall surface of the tubular member bore. The profiled surface or insert provides a fishing profile shaped to allow a portion of the fish to move past the fishing profile so that the fishing profile is disposed below the portion of the fish. The tubular member can then be actuated, such as through rotation, to align the portion of the fish with a shoulder of the fishing profile. Upward movement of the tool engages the shoulder with the portion of the fish. Continued upward movement of the tool facilitates retrieval of the fish from the wellbore. |
| US09027637B2 |
Flow control screen assembly having an adjustable inflow control device
A well system has a fluid flow path for the inflow of production fluid. An inflow control device is disposed within the fluid flow path. The inflow control device has at least first and second fluid passageways. A first plug is disposed within the first fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The first plug is operably removable from the first fluid passageway responsive to a first stimulus. A second plug is disposed within the second fluid passageway and is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The second plug is operably removable from the second fluid passageway responsive to a second stimulus, wherein the first stimulus is different from the second stimulus. |
| US09027635B2 |
Heat exchange surface including a hydrophobic coating layer
A device for withdrawing heat energy from air. The device includes a layer of a substantially hydrophobic coating on a heat exchange surface. The coating has a lower surface tension than water, to repel water and prevent the formation of water condensation on the surface. For example, the coating can be a fluoropolymer such as 1,1,2,3,3,3 hexafluoropropene. |
| US09027634B2 |
Underground thermal battery storage system
‘Underground Thermal Battery Storage System’ using a battery structure of one or more underground thermally insulated cells, where each cell comprised of a waterproof thermal insulation shell, one or more fluid storage tanks and earth matrix. The thermal storage cell's fluid storage tanks are interconnected using a thermal fluid transport system with control valves, circulating pumps, and managed by a programmable controller. The programmable controller uses the cell sensors to determine cell status, control cell interconnections, and to manage the thermal charging and discharging by exterior heating or cooling devices. A moisture injection system is provided to control the thermal conductivity within the cell's earth matrix. |
| US09027632B2 |
Method for producing a metal part for an aircraft turbo-engine
A method for producing a metal part, the part including, in particular, a first set of elements having a small thickness, and a second set of elements having a large thickness, the method including: forming a peripheral portion of the elements of the second set of elements by selectively melting a powder by scanning the surface of the powder layer with a laser beam or with an electron beam; using the peripheral portion of the elements of the second set of elements as a mould by carrying out an operation of filling an inner area defined by the peripheral portion with liquid metal; cooling the metal part to solidify the inner area defined by the peripheral portion and filled with metal. |
| US09027630B2 |
Insert casting or tack welding of machinable metal in bulk amorphous alloy part and post machining the machinable metal insert
Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming a connection mechanism in or on a bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy by casting in or on, or forming with the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy, a machinable metal. The connection mechanism can be formed by machining the machinable metal. |
| US09027629B1 |
Device and method for facilitating the delivery or moving of oversized furniture items
A method of using a portable, protective barrier for facilitating the passage of oversized articles through a span defined between two barriers. The protective barrier is fabricated of a board having a first (preferably smooth) planar surface and an opposite (preferably textured) planar surface defined by a peripheral edge. An arch is formed in the protective barrier to provide vertical support as well as pliancy during use. The arch can be formed by retention of the barrier within a forming carrier. The arched protective barrier is placed between the article being transferred through the span and at least one of the barriers. The article compresses the arched section of the protective barrier to facilitate movement of the article through the span. The article can be furniture, appliances, equipment, etc., and the barriers can be a corner, a wall, a doorjamb, a staircase, other furniture, artwork, etc. |
| US09027628B2 |
Interior shutter-blind for windows with stackable louvers
A shutter-blind system for windows is provided. The system includes a frame and a plurality of rotatable parallel louvers coupled within the frame. Each louver of the plurality of louvers is operatively coupled to adjacent louvers with a collapsible linkage. The system may further comprise a biasing member coupled to a first louver located at a first end of the plurality of louvers and a resisting member coupled to a second louver located at a second end of the plurality of louvers. The biasing member pulls against the resisting member to maintain tension in the collapsible linkage. According to certain embodiments, the frame elements are coupled within a window opening and trim elements are coupled to cover gaps between the frame elements and the window opening. |
| US09027621B2 |
Vision inspection during application of composite tape
A system comprises a feed assembly for applying composite tape; a unit for forming lateral stripes across a portion of the tape that has been applied; a camera for capturing images of the lateral stripes; and a processor programmed to process the images of the lateral stripes to identify any discontinuities in the tape. Those stripes intersecting any discontinuities will make those discontinuities apparent. |
| US09027620B2 |
Tire having a double cord stitch knit fabric in sidewall area
A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire, where the knit fabric has a warp and weft direction and is a double cord stitch knit fabric. A method of making the fabric and tire are also disclosed. |
| US09027615B2 |
Tire tread with groove reinforcement
The present invention relates to a tire tread comprising a plurality of circumferential grooves separating circumferential ribs, each groove comprising a bottom and two sidewalls, and a plurality of laterally separated reinforcements, wherein one reinforcement is arranged adjacent each circumferential groove, and wherein each reinforcement extends from the radially inner surface of the tread in a radial direction at least to the bottom of an adjacent circumferential groove to form the bottom of that groove. Further, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread in accordance with the present invention. |
| US09027612B2 |
Pneumatic tire having tread provided with three-dimensionally shaped sipes
Provided is a pneumatic tire whose braking performance on ice and partial-wear resistance can be improved. Sipes 11X provided in a rib 5 on a tire equatorial plane TE are formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the rib 5 collapses due to an external force is smaller in the tire rotational direction than in a direction opposite to the tire rotational direction. In each block 10 in each shoulder region 1S, sipes 11Ma in a block tread-in side portion 10A are each formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the block 10, if entirely provided with the sipes 11Ma, collapses due to an external force will be smaller in the tire rotational direction than in the direction opposite to the tire rotational direction. Sipes 11Mb in a block kick-out side portion 10B are each formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the block 10, if entirely provided with the sipes 11Mb, collapses due to an external force will be smaller in the direction opposite to the tire rotational direction than in the tire rotational direction. |
| US09027600B2 |
Accumulator
An accumulator of the invention is provided with a safety mechanism for an emergency which releases an internal pressure of the housing to the oil port side so as to prevent the housing from being exploded by the internal pressure of the housing which comes to a higher pressure in an emergency, for example, occurrence of fire disaster. The safety mechanism for the emergency has a taper portion in a corner portion between the tubular portion and the end surface portion of the stay. The taper portion is buckled at its root position in the emergency. In the case that the taper portion is buckled, a pressure releasing flow path is formed between the bellows cap or the retained member and the taper portion as well as the bellows cap or the retained member and the end surface portion come away. The stay can be manufactured only by press molding. |
| US09027599B2 |
Pressure relief/drain valve for concrete pumpers
Pressure relief/drainage valve for a concrete pumper having a valve body with an axially extending passageway through which concrete flowing in a pumping line passes, an outlet port in a side wall of the passageway, and a valve member which prevents concrete from passing through the port when the valve is a closed position and permits concrete to discharge through the outlet port when the valve is in an open position. |
| US09027596B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling oil and gas well drilling fluids
A fluids management apparatus is disclosed herein that enables management of multiple volumes of different fluids when drilling and/or producing oil and/or gas with an oil and gas well drilling platform. The apparatus includes a structural, transportable frame that has upper and lower reservoir sections, each with a plurality of tanks for holding fluid. The upper reservoir section is easily lifted and transported, such as by crane. A docking station on the lower reservoir section is receptive of the upper reservoir section. A piping system enables a selected fluid volume contained in a tank of the upper reservoir section to be selectively transmitted to a selected tank of the lower reservoir section. The lower reservoir section has its own piping system that enables a user to withdraw fluid from any selected one of its tanks. |
| US09027595B2 |
Transparent fluid recirculation reservoir system
A method for channeling hot/warm working fluid includes coupling a first fluid supply path in flow communication with an inlet of a first transparent fluid reservoir to a fluid inlet valve, coupling an outlet of the first transparent fluid reservoir in flow communication to a fluid outlet supply path, coupling a second fluid reservoir in flow communication with the first transparent fluid reservoir, and coupling a second fluid supply path in flow communication with an outlet of the second fluid reservoir to a fluid outlet valve. The method also includes directing working fluid of a temperature that is above a minimum threshold temperature from the fluid inlet valve to the fluid outlet supply path through the first transparent fluid reservoir, and directing working fluid of a temperature that is below the minimum threshold temperature from the first transparent fluid reservoir to the fluid outlet valve through the second fluid reservoir. |
| US09027594B2 |
Fuel system valve assembly
A fuel system valve assembly may include a housing, a spring, and a body. The housing may have a fuel passage defined in part or more by a fuel passage wall. The fuel passage wall may have a seat and a cylindrical section. The cylindrical section may have a constant diameter and may be located downstream of the seat. In use, the body may reciprocate linearly in the housing between an open position and a closed position. The body may be biased to the closed position by the spring. The body may abut the seat when the body is in the closed position. |
| US09027590B2 |
Ventilation arrangement for a fuel tank
A ventilation arrangement for the head space of the fuel tank of a vehicle comprises a switchable main valve intended for adjusting an arbitrary pressure in the head space of the tank. By way of the opening position of the main valve, a connection between a connection (5) intended for connection to the head space and a connection (6) intended for connection to the surrounding atmosphere is established, wherein the main valve is assigned a pilot valve, which opens during a first path element of a switching movement, wherein the main valve only opens following this first path element. Because of the small cross section of the pilot valve and the pressure relief that materialized through its opening, the switching power can be reduced and a smaller size drive can be employed. |
| US09027588B2 |
Pressure control device
A pressure control device according to an embodiment includes a solenoid portion for regulating a gate opening of a valve through a first shaft portion connected to the valve, a micrometer for regulating the gate opening through the first shaft portion and a second shaft portion having an axial direction which is parallel with that of the first shaft portion when the second shaft portion is connected to the first shaft portion, and a switching portion. The switching portion switches to cause the solenoid portion to regulate the gate opening or to cause the micrometer to regulate the gate opening. |
| US09027586B2 |
Pipeline for transport of gas
In a pipeline for transportation of gas, the supplying pressure for the gas out through an outlet shall not exceed a threshold value. The pipeline has a safely unit with a pressure transmitter and a temperature transmitter arranged in connection to the pipeline close to an inlet of the pipeline. The safety unit comprises a device for measuring the flow rate and the safely unit is either used for maintaining an increased inlet pressure to the pipeline and/or in order to use a pipeline with a reduced inner diameter within a given safety level against leakage and excessive pressure. |
| US09027585B2 |
Adaptive pressure insensitive mass flow controller and method for multi-gas applications
A system and method for controlling a flow of a fluid using a multi-mode control algorithm is described. The method includes disengaging and engaging a feedback control loop that controls a valve of the mass flow controller based upon a rate of pressure change of the fluid. The method also includes calculating a valve position of the valve based on pressure measurements when the feedback control loop has been disengaged and characterization data that characterizes the mass flow controller, and determining, when the feedback control loop is first re-engaged, a difference between a measured flow rate and a flow set point. An adjustment to the characterization data is applied based upon the difference to improve an accuracy of the calculation of the valve position when the feedback control loop is disengaged again. |
| US09027580B2 |
Rib structure of umbrellas
In order to provide a rib structure of an umbrella, which has superior appearance without receiving unnecessary structural pressure and can contribute to the development of the industry by motivating consumers to buy, this invention features the rib structure of an umbrella which is formed with multiple ribs wherein the length of specific ribs is different from the length of other specific ribs, cloth is stretched onto the above mentioned ribs thereby changing forms of the umbrella and when the above mentioned cloth is put between the above mentioned ribs and adjacent ribs, the cloth does not expand and contract in the direction of the length of said ribs, but is expandable and contractible in any direction with the exception of the direction of the length of said ribs. |
| US09027578B2 |
Water diverter valve and related dishwasher
A gravity and flow operated diverter valve diverts liquid flow from one source to either of two output destinations. The valve includes a housing, an inlet opening, a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. A valve member is located coaxially in the housing interior, the valve member having at least one flow path extending axially therethough, an exterior edge of the valve member and an interior surface of the side wall having a cooperating cam follower structure defining a cyclic path, the path having at least two no flow positions in which the valve member is spaced from the upper wall, and at least two flow positions in which the flow path in the disc selectively allows communication with one or both of the first and second outlet openings, the cyclic path arranged so that on successive liquid flows into the inlet opening the valve member cycles between the at least two flow positions to selectively direct flow out of one or both of the first and second outlet openings. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed. |
| US09027575B2 |
Fluid screen for pot and pan washing machine
A fluid screen for a washing machine, and a washing machine including a fluid screen, is provided. The fluid screen includes a generally planar member including a first end and a second end extending from the first end. The first end is mounted within the wash tank of the washing machine at a location generally in proximity to an operating fluid level within the wash tank. During operation of the washing machine, fluid circulates within the wash tank to create a rolling wash action and the second end of the fluid screen extends from the first end generally in the direction of fluid flow across the surface of the wash tank. |
| US09027574B2 |
Cleaning/disinfecting apparatus
A cleaning/disinfecting apparatus includes: a plurality of attachment portions for attaching an endoscope; a cleaning/disinfecting portion that communicates with the plurality of attachment portions and can execute different types of cleaning/disinfection menus for the respective attachment portions; and an endoscope information reading portion that reads endoscope information from the endoscope. Also, the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus includes: a control portion that determines a cleaning/disinfection menu based on the read endoscope information and outputs attachment portion identifying information for identifying an attachment portion for executing the determined cleaning/disinfection menu; and a notifying portion that notifies the attachment portion identifying information outputted from the control portion. |
| US09027572B2 |
Eyelash curler, mascara applicator, mascara container, and mascara remover
An ergonomic eyelash curler, cosmetic applicator, container, and mascara remover compromising of a grip type device with anatomical features and a fixed ellipsoid curvature tongue at one end. The tongue and grip are shaped to fit the anatomy of the hand to allow free movement of the thumb and index fingers. This device has an ergonomic design that optimizes human wellbeing and overall hand coordination allowing the user to apply precise and natural motion when beautifying and maintaining the eyelashes. The thumb's tactile sense allows the user to apply measured pressure on the eyelash against the curling edge to provide a prolonged and continuous curvature of the eyelash. The thumb and index finger tactile sense allows the user to effectively remove mascara from the eyelash without irritating the eye area. Multiple eyelash beautifying and maintenance functions can be performed with this invention including mascara application. |
| US09027568B2 |
Hairpiece having dual parting areas
A hairpiece or wig is formed of a substrate having at least two layers or sets of fibers. The hairpiece has a wig cap section which forming the core of the hairpiece to be placed on the head of an individual. The wig cap may be formed of a plurality of selectively-deformable rings adapted to adjustably conform to a head of an individual. A mesh section of the wig cap may adorn the portion of the wig cap corresponding to the forehead of the individual. The mesh section may have opposing parting areas on the left and right anterior portions of wig cap formed by recesses extending into the deformable ring portion of the wig cap. Hair strands extending from each parting area may have different shades and/or colors from one another and/or any hair strands extending from the deformable ring portion of the wig cap. |
| US09027563B2 |
Fallopian tube occlusion devices and methods
A device for occluding body lumens such as fallopian tubes which has an occluder element which has a lumen and a fixation element located in the lumen of the occluder element. The fixation element has at least one looped wire which has a proximal region which is biased radially outwardly and be constrained prior to deployment of the device. |
| US09027562B1 |
Flow metering connector and system for oxygen or air flow supply to nasal cannula
A connector for connecting an oxygen input flow duct with two narrowed oxygen output flow ducts, is provided thereby to meter oxygen flow to nasal cannula, and includes a hollow body having a relatively large flow input chamber sized for telescopic interfit with the input flow duct, the body having two relatively smaller flow output chambers sized for telescopic interfit with the respective two output flow ducts. The two output chambers have direct and like-sized communication with the input chamber whereby input flow is equally divided into two output flow streams. |
| US09027561B2 |
Medico-surgical tube assemblies
A tracheostomy tube assembly has a flange arrangement (2) movable along the shaft (1) of the assembly and lockable at different positions. The flange arrangement has a gel-filled member (22) with a flexible conformable surface (26) providing substantially the entire surface contacting the skin. The flange has aperture (28) through which a tape can be extended for use in securing the assembly with the patient's neck. The gel-filled member (122) may be provided separately for use on existing tube assemblies. |
| US09027559B2 |
Laryngeal mask airway device with airway tube having flattened outer circumference and elliptical inner airway passage
The disclosed laryngeal mask airway device includes an inflatable cuff and an airway tube. The inflatable cuff defines a central opening at least when inflated. The cuff is insertable through a mouth of a patient to an inserted location within the patient. The cuff surrounds a glottic opening of the patient when the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The airway tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The airway tube defines an internal passage, an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a left portion, and a right portion. An airway passage extends from the proximal end of the tube through the internal passage to the glottic opening when the cuff is inflated and at the inserted location. The anterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions. The posterior portion is characterized by a thinner wall thickness than the left and right portions. |
| US09027550B2 |
Platelet rich plasma/stem cell dispensing system and methods thereof
A method and apparatus is provided to separate Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) utilizing standard whole blood harvesting techniques and separating the solution via centrifugation preparation. A pump is provided to pump PRP/Stem Cell solution from a centrifugation reservoir in to a nebulizer to aerosolize the PRP/Stem Cell solution in the nebulizer with oxygen. A patient will then inhale the aerosolized or vaporized PRP/Stem Cell solution into their respiratory system. Removal of any waste PRP/Stem Cell solution is provided by trapping the PRP/Stem Cells and any other biological matter other in a HEPA filter and allowing exhaled gasses to safely exit the from the Semi-Rebreathing Chamber. |
| US09027549B2 |
Battery management for a breathing assistance system
A method for providing battery security in a breathing assistance system configured to provide breathing assistance to a patient is provided. A battery security system of the breathing assistance system receives battery data from a battery received in the breathing assistance system, and analyzes the received battery data to determine whether the battery is approved for use in the breathing assistance system. If the battery is determined to be approved for use in the breathing assistance system, the battery is allowed to provide power to the breathing assistance system. If the battery is not determined to be approved for use in the breathing assistance system, the battery is prevented from providing power to the breathing assistance system. |
| US09027547B2 |
Drive unit for dosage counter
A nebulizer which is a metered dose inhaler for use in administering medicaments with an associated does counter, which can, by way of a guide track or inclined plane and an associated guide element, cause an axial movement occurring on actuation of the nebulizer to be partly converted into a rotary movement for driving a counting ring, which can count both complete and incomplete actuations. |
| US09027546B2 |
Improvements for solar collector receiver tubes
A solar collector receiver tube containing an improved getter system is described. The solar collector receiver tube has a base, pills of getter material that are uniform in height, and a containment metallic mesh having a non-uniform height and presenting at least one depression. |
| US09027539B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
The present invention intends to perform control for detecting a change in air-fuel ratio with high accuracy by an exhaust gas sensor in an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger with a wastegate valve. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes: a turbocharger; a wastegate through which an exhaust gas passes while bypassing a turbine; a wastegate valve for opening/closing the wastegate; an exhaust gas sensor provided in an exhaust passage on the downstream side from the turbine and the wastegate valve; and air-fuel ratio change detection controlling means for executing air-fuel ratio change detection control to change an air-fuel ratio on the upstream side from the turbine and the wastegate valve and detect a change in the air-fuel ratio by the exhaust gas sensor. The air-fuel ratio change detection controlling means executes the air-fuel ratio change detection control when the opening degree of the wastegate valve is less than a predetermined value. |
| US09027535B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided that can favorably determine a shut-off failure of an EGR valve under a high intake pressure condition in which an intake pressure becomes higher than an exhaust pressure. In a case where the high intake pressure condition and a transition condition are established at a time of a shut-off instruction on shutting off the EGR valve, it is determined that a shut-off failure of the EGR valve has occurred if an actual measurement value of the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas detected by a main air-fuel ratio sensor is a value that is leaner by an amount equal to or greater than a predetermined lean determination value relative to a target value of the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. |
| US09027531B2 |
Ignition energy control for mixed fuel engine
A method of operating an engine including varying a level of ignition energy provided to the engine during an engine start is provided. For example, the ignition energy level may be varied responsive to the amount of alcohol in fuel delivered to the engine in order to improve cold engine starting with higher alcohol fuels. |
| US09027521B2 |
Intake apparatus of engine
An intake apparatus of an engine includes: a first intake passage supplying fresh air to a cylinder; a second intake passage arranged near the first intake passage, and supplying fresh air to the cylinder; a first intake valve opening and closing the first intake passage at an aperture of the first intake passage; a second intake valve opening and closing the second intake passage at an aperture of the second intake passage. An opening timing of the first intake valve of the intake apparatus advances relative to a top dead center, and a valve lift amount of the first intake valve differs from that of the second intake valve, and there is a period while the valve lift amount of the first intake valve is larger than that of the second intake valve, in an intake stroke. |
| US09027520B2 |
Constructed slide cam unit
A slide cam unit with a cam region is provided with an adjusting device having an actuator for adjusting the slide cam unit to different axial positions via slide grooves on the circumference of the slide cam unit. The adjusting device is arranged in a stationary manner and a device for fastening the slide cam unit in the different axial positions is provided. The cam region and the slide groove region of the slide cam unit are designed as separate cam and slide groove components which are fastened to each other with a positive-fit connection and fixed in place to each other by their support on the base shaft. |
| US09027511B2 |
Pet grooming tool
A pet grooming tool including a handle and long tines terminating in short, shallow catchment hooks. When the tines are drawn through the pet's fur, the catchment hooks untie tangled and matted fur incrementally without snagging and compounding the whole mass and without cutting through or removing attached fur. The hooks include a blunt leading edge that grabs and unties fur entanglements without cutting the fur. The long tines deliver the catchment hooks to the under coat while leaving the guard coat alone. The handle is ergonomic with a contoured shape for ease of use, effective engagement of the tines with the fur and a pleasing grooming experience for the pet owner and the pet. |
| US09027504B2 |
Heating apparatus, coating apparatus and heating method
A heating apparatus including: a first heating part and a second heating part between which a substrate having a coating film is disposed at a substrate position in the film thickness direction; and a distance control part which controls at least one of a first distance between the substrate position and the first heating part and a second distance between the substrate position and the second heating part. |
| US09027488B2 |
Direct drive cloth feeding mechanism of sewing machine
A direct drive cloth feeding mechanism of a sewing machine includes a cloth feeding structure, a vertical driving structure and a direction adjustment structure. The cloth feeding structure includes a swing shaft and a cloth feeding teeth member. The vertical driving structure includes an eccentric shaft connected to the cloth feeding teeth member, and an eccentric cam disposed on the eccentric shaft. The direction adjustment structure includes a stepping motor, and a rotating shaft driven by the stepping motor to rotate and switch between a first position and a second position. When the stepping motor directly drives the rotating shaft to the first position, the cloth feeding teeth member performs a forward feeding process. When the stepping motor directly drives the rotating shaft to the second position, the cloth feeding teeth member performs a reverse feeding process. |
| US09027486B1 |
Portable collapsible writing desk for a notebook computer
A portable collapsible writing desk for a notebook computer preferably includes an arm rest assembly, a desktop assembly, a column assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly is attached to a bottom of the column assembly. The arm rest assembly is attached to a top of the column assembly. The desktop assembly is moveably retained by the arm rest assembly. The collapsible writing desk may rest on the base assembly, or rest on an end of the desktop assembly and an edge of the column assembly. A retractable handle may be extended to carry the portable collapsible writing desk for a notebook computer like a suitcase. |
| US09027483B2 |
Flow battery power converter
A power converter may include an uncharged tank for storing fluid including uncharged electrolytes. The power converter may include a plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells configured to receive the fluid from the uncharged tank and an input voltage, and charge the uncharged electrolytes. The power converter may also include a charged tank configured to receive fluid from the plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells. The power converter may also include a first pump configured to pump the fluid from the plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells to the charged tank. The power converter may include a plurality of series-connected reaction cells configured to receive fluid from the charged tank and provide electric power at an output voltage. |
| US09027480B2 |
Ink solutions for microcontact printing
An ink solution comprises (a) a solvent having (i) a boiling point between about 50° C. and about 100° C., (ii) a relative polarity of less than about 0.4, and (iii) a poly(dimethylsiloxane) swelling ratio of less than about 1.25; and (b) one or more dissolved organosulfur compounds, wherein each organosulfur compound has 10 or more carbon atoms. The one or more organosulfur compounds are present in a total concentration of at least about 3 mM, and the ink solution contains essentially no solid particles of the organosulfur compounds or solid particles derived from the organosulfur compounds. |
| US09027477B2 |
Wrinkle detection in continuous feed printers
A web printing system automatically detects the location of a wrinkle in a moving web. The web has a plurality of marked reference positions including an inboard position, a center position, and an outboard position. A plurality of contact image sensors detect the reference positions after the web passes through a spreader and an inboard distance and an outboard distance are respectively measured from the center position. If the inboard distance is less than a nominal inboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as inboard of the center position. If the outboard distance is less than a nominal outboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as outboard of the center position. The machine operator is notified of the fault condition and takes action to remedy the situation. |
| US09027475B2 |
Method for changing edition on a rotary press
A method for successive printing of a first print job and a second print job on the same web using at least one printing group of the rotary press to print the first print job and the second print job is provided. The printing group includes at least a plate cylinder, a plate, a blanket cylinder and a blanket. Between the first print job and the second print job, a plate-changing stage occurs in which the blanket is held away from the web and the plates of the plate cylinder are changed. According to one aspect of the invention, between the first print job and the second print job, the web is kept traveling through the rotary press. |
| US09027470B1 |
Food condition maintaining device
The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste. |
| US09027467B2 |
System and method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, and a use of such a system, a receiving chamber and a holder
A system for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, for instance coffee and/or tea, is disclosed. The system comprises an apparatus for dispensing beverage under pressure to a nozzle of the system, and at least one receiving chamber which is placeable or is placed downstream of this nozzle. During use, the nozzle spouts a jet of the beverage with relatively high velocity to and/or into the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is provided with at least one outflow opening for dispensing beverage received in this chamber. The system is at least configured to substantially counteract or prevent formation of foam of this beverage, in particular when the beverage is spouted to and/or into the receiving chamber. Further disclosed is an assembly at least provided with a holder, to a holder, a receiving body, the use of a said system and to a method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. |
| US09027465B2 |
Holder
A holder and method for obtaining a holder, wherein the holder is provided with a first and a second wall part. The first and second wall part are interconnected such that therebetween at least a first storage space, at least a first fluid connection and at least a first seal removable through fluid pressure and defining an opening are formed. The at least first removable connection is communication with the first storage space and seals a communication to or from the at least first fluid connection. With the method for obtaining the holder, prior to forming the connection of the first and second wall parts, a lacquer is locally applied to one of the first and second wall parts, which after connection results in a controlled reduced adhesion for obtaining the at least first removable seal. Here in the proximity of the removable seal, an additional connection of the first wall part to the second wall part is provided. |
| US09027463B2 |
Method and apparatus for beverage formation with reservoir access control
A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. Movement of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid into a reservoir in a brewer, which is then used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, closing of the brew chamber may cause a lid for a water reservoir to be fully opened or otherwise permit movement of the lid to allow access to the reservoir, allowing a user to provide water into the reservoir. The reservoir lid may open with an abrupt action, causing attention to be drawn to the reservoir lid. In another arrangement, closure of the brew chamber may cause actuation of a baffle, pump, valve or other device to provide a suitable amount of water to a reservoir for beverage formation. In another arrangement, opening of the brew chamber may cause the reservoir lid to be automatically and simultaneously opened with the brew chamber. |
| US09027461B2 |
Rodless power cylinder
A rodless power cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston assembly adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder body, a magnet mounted at each of the two ends of the piston assembly, a valve mounted at each of the two ends of the cylinder body for guiding a flow of air or fluid in and out of the cylinder body to cause the piston assembly to reciprocate, a magnetic sensor mounted in a sensor mounting groove at each of the two valves for sensing the position of the respective magnet, a movable member mounted around the cylinder body and coupled to the piston assembly by a magnetic force for synchronous reciprocating motion. |
| US09027460B2 |
Piston-cylinder unit with device for determining position
The present disclosure relates to a piston-cylinder unit with a device for determining position, the device comprising at least one exciter that is indirectly or directly electrically connected with the cylinder jacket and the cylinder piston of the piston-cylinder unit, and that excites the electrical oscillating circuit formed by the piston-cylinder unit and the contact lines to oscillate at its resonant frequency, it being possible to measure an electrical signal characterizing the resonant frequency on the piston-cylinder unit. The invention also relates to a construction machine or piece of hoisting equipment with such a piston-cylinder unit. |
| US09027459B2 |
Reciprocating piston compressor with delivery rate control
In a reciprocating piston compressor with delivery rate control, the electromagnetic actuating device (3) of the valve lifter (2) has a separate positioning drive (10) for adjusting the working stroke range of the magnetic actuator (5) used, whereby this can be chosen to be small and highly dynamic and only low power losses occur. |
| US09027456B2 |
Multi-layered perforating gun using expandable tubulars
A perforating gun body including a first layer having a first yield strength and a second layer having a second yield strength, the second layer positioned radially inwardly from the first layer with a radial gap initially provided between the first and second layers, the second layer expanded radially to engage the first and second layers, the first and second yield strengths being dissimilar. |
| US09027448B2 |
Method for reducing the eccentricity of the inner and outer surface of a hollow workpiece rotatably clamped in a machine tool
The invention relates a method for reducing the eccentricity of the inner and outer surface (7, 9) of a hollow workpiece (i), for example a hollow shaft, rotatably clamped in machine tool (2), in which in one clamping a plurality of measurement data depending on the contour of the inner surface (7) of the hollow workpiece (i) are recorded, for example with the aid of ultrasound, using the recorded measurement data a desired surface (13) is calculated for at least a part of the outer surface (9), which has a reduced eccentricity with respect to the inner surface (7) and in a further step the rotating workpiece (i) is at least partially machined at the outer surface (9) thereof according to the desired surface (13). |
| US09027442B2 |
Multi-shaft drive device
Output gears are disposed so as to be movable toward and counter to plural second input gears to which rotation of the motor is transmitted, and so as to be biased toward the plural second input gears. A cam, which has plural recesses provided at the periphery thereof, is disposed at the inside of the output gear. The cam is rotated, and a pin of the output gear enters the recess, so that the output gear is moved toward the second input gear, and the output gear is engaged with the second input gear. |
| US09027439B2 |
Crank arm
A crank arm is provided, which includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member used for joining the first connecting member. The first connecting member has a first wall surface, the first wall surface is provided with a joint wall of an annular structure, and a wall surface of the joint wall is a concave-convex surface. The second connecting member is provided with a second wall surface opposite to the first wall surface, an annular wall and two facing ribs extend from the second wall surface, and the annular wall and the ribs have a groove there-between for fitting the joint wall therein. Therefore, a contact area of the first connecting member and the second connecting member is increased, and a shear force resisting function is provided. |
| US09027435B2 |
Control cable attachment structure
A control cable attachment structure for attaching a control cable to an anchoring member. A plate-part-side attachment groove, includes an anchoring groove in which an attachment part is positioned and anchored, and a constricted part that is connected to the anchoring groove and is narrower than the anchoring groove. The attachment part of the control cable has an engaging part that is engaged by the anchoring groove and is wider than the constricted part, an approximately parallel pair of opposing surfaces respectively opposing the front and rear of a plate surface of the anchor plate part, and an anchoring groove, the surface of which is formed by the pair of opposing surfaces, and in which the peripheral parts of the plate-part-side attachment grove of the anchor plate part engage. The one opposing surface is provided with a protruding part that protrudes toward the other opposing surface. |
| US09027434B2 |
Two position control device
An actuator for pulling and releasing a bicycle control cable, including an actuator body including a hollow interior. A plunger is disposed in the hollow interior and is axially movable. The plunger includes at least one driving lug and at least one latching lug. A latching ring is rotatably disposed in the hollow interior, the rotation of which by the plunger lugs creates a cable pull and a cable release state of the actuator. |
| US09027433B2 |
Control device for a bicycle and bicycle comprising such a device
A control device for a bicycle, has a first body adapted to be associated with a bicycle handlebar, at least one control member of at least one bicycle component, and a second body, distinct from the first body, associated with the first body to increase a grip surface of the control device and/or to vary the relative position of the at least one control member with respect to the handlebar of the bicycle, so as to adapt the control device to the size of the cyclist's hand. |
| US09027432B2 |
Electric steering lock device
A motor cover (80) includes an edge portion (84) located outside an inner side surface of a frame cover (20) with the motor cover (80) being disposed inside a housing chamber (12), configured to push the frame cover (20) wider when the frame cover (20) is mounted onto a frame (10), and configured to be pressed by the frame cover (20) from an opened surface of the frame (10) with the frame cover (20) being mounted on the frame (10). |
| US09027425B2 |
Transmission device for internal combustion engine
A transmission device for an internal combustion engine for preventing components thereof from being damaged for making the components smaller in size and weight, reducing a load and a time required to shift gear positions for increased operability and for reducing overall size and weight. A transmission device for an internal combustion engine includes a shift drum angularly movable by a star-shaped drum plate that is turned when a change spindle is turned and a stopper roller for limiting the star-shaped drum plate against turning movement. The star-shaped drum plate includes peaks corresponding to a plurality of gear positions and valleys interposed between the peaks. A selected one of the valleys includes a curved wall for being more gently contacted by the stopper roller than curved surfaces of the other valleys which are contacted by the stopper roller. |
| US09027422B2 |
Method and system of monitoring mass in a pulverized coal fired furnace
A system 100 of monitoring mass in a furnace is described having a number of hanger rods 110 used to support at least a portion of the furnace. The system has at least one pressure sensor 111 that may be a load washer 111 operatively engaging a hanger rod 110 that provides a signal indicative of an amount of tension on the hanger rod 110. A pivoting unit 107, 109 distributes the force over the surface of the pressure sensor 111. A processor 200 monitors the signals from the pressure sensors 111 to set alarms when there is a mass overload, or adjust the operation of the furnace. The processor 200 may also predict when an overload will occur by extrapolating pressure sensor 111 readings forward into the future. |
| US09027421B2 |
Liquid-metering device for a gas analyzer
A liquid-metering device comprising a droplet generator including a reservoir and, connected to the latter, a displacement space which is modifiable by an electromechanical transducer and which has an outlet opening and, upon excitation of the transducer, shoots a liquid droplet from a cold area into a heatable area through or counter to a gas stream generated by a gas source. To make the device suitable for automatic and quasi-continuous liquid metering in process analysis, a heatable evaporation chamber is provided through which the liquid to be metered flows via valves, and, between the evaporation chamber and the reservoir, a condensate chamber is connected via further valves. The condensate chamber and the reservoir are connected via additional valves and a pressure regulator to the gas source. |
| US09027420B1 |
Specimen collection, treating, and transporting system
A swab for obtaining a biological surface sample has a shaft extending from a first side of a cap. A first test tube can be coupled to the first side of the cap in a detachable watertight fit, to enclose the swab. A second tube can be coupled to a second side of the cap in a manually detachable watertight fit. The first tube or the swab can include a collection solution; the second tube can be used as a handle to extend the reach of the swab when the first tube is detached; and the second tube can contain an enrichment broth and/or developer solution for the collected sample. |
| US09027415B2 |
Force sensing kickboxing apparatus and method of manufacture
A force sensing kickboxing apparatus and methods of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body including an externally facing first side and an internally facing second side, an electronic device connected to the body and configured to provide information associated with the body, a sensor housing attached to a portion of the second side of the body forming a pocket between the sensor housing and the portion of the internally facing second side, and a sensor positioned within the pocket and communicatively coupled to the electronic device, the sensor configured to detect an object contacting a portion of the first side of the body in proximity to the sensor. |
| US09027414B2 |
Ultrasonic flow rate measurement device with temperature sensing circuit
An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device capable of sensing and correcting a temperature without use of a sensor specifically designed for measuring a temperature is provided. The ultrasonic flow rate measurement device includes a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer that re disposed in a flow volume measurement block and arranged in such a way that ultrasonic waves are transmitted from one transducer and received by the other transducer; a counter for measuring a propagation time consumed for exchanging the ultrasonic waves between the first ultrasonic transducer and the second ultrasonic transducers; a flow volume computing block that calculates a flow volume from a measurement value of the counter; an oscillation circuit used as a time counter when the counter calculates the propagation time; and a temperature sensing block for sensing a temperature by utilization of a frequency change attributable to a temperature of the oscillation circuit. |
| US09027413B2 |
Airflow measuring device
A circuit board has a hollow space partitioned with a detection film on the front side exposed in a passage. The circuit board is accommodated in a recess of a support member and opposed to a bottom surface of the recess on the rear side. The bottom surface of the recess has a groove on one side in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions relative to the detection film. The groove inclines airflow in the groove relative to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions to guide the airflow toward the rear side of the detection film. |
| US09027410B2 |
Hermetically glass sealed pressure sensor
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for pressure measurement of fluids including vehicular fluids. The pressure sensor includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor for pressure measurement. The MEMS sensor is attached to a glass tube which is compressively sealed to a mounting frame that is attachable to a pressure port of a fluid-containing enclosure. Techniques disclosed herein provide an hermetic seal between the tube and the mounting frame and a rigid seal between the MEMS sensor to a pressure sensor while decoupling thermal expansion stress from the MEMS sensor. With such decoupling techniques, pressure sensing reliability and accuracy can be improved because thermal expansion stress is decoupled from the MEMS sensor. Such techniques provide an accurate, durable, and cost-effective pressure sensor. |
| US09027409B2 |
Matching back pressures on differential oil-filled diaphragms
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a differential pressure transducer that comprises first and second diaphragms of different configurations, i.e., different diameters and/or thicknesses. The pressure transducer provides more versatility over prior art designs as the diaphragms can be of different configurations yet still maintain substantially similar back pressures. Therefore, the errors commonly associated with back pressures are eliminated because the back pressures from the diaphragms ultimately cancel out in the sensor's differential pressure measurement. |
| US09027407B2 |
Low-cost temperature and pressure sensor comprising SAW resonators, and method of fabrication for same
A pressure and temperature sensor comprising comprises at least a first resonator of the SAW type comprising a piezoelectric substrate, thinned at least locally, of the membrane type, a second resonator of the SAW type comprising a piezoelectric substrate and a third resonator of the SAW type comprising a piezoelectric substrate, characterized in that the first, the second and the third resonators are respectively on the surface of first, second and third individual piezoelectric substrates, each of the individual substrates being positioned on the surface of a common base section, locally machined away under said first resonator in such a manner as to liberate the substrate from said resonator so as to render it operational for the measurement of pressure. A method of fabrication for such a sensor is also provided. |
| US09027401B2 |
Method of evaluating a clamping portion of an electric wire and a terminal, and device for evaluating the clamping portion
There is provided a method of evaluating a clamping portion of an electric wire and a terminal, which can determine whether a clamping quality is good, or not, through simple test, and can easily test all of the clamping portions. The method of evaluating the clamping portion of an electric wire (W) and a terminal (10) includes measuring a length (L1) of the terminal (10) after clamping to detect an expansion of the terminal (10) after clamping to a length (L0) of the terminal (10) before clamping, determining that the clamping quality is “good” when the expansion falls within an allowable range between a given lower limit and a given upper limit, and determining that the clamping quality is “no good” when the expansion falls outside the allowable range. |